Ulmus 'Cathedral'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ULM-us
- Description
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Cathedral elm is a hybrid developed at the University of Wisconsin by crossing Japanese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) with Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila).
Cathedral elm has a spreading vase-shape and grows 50 to 80 feet tall. It has good resistance to Dutch elm disease, elm leaf beetle and other leaf-cutting insects. It requires regular pruning during the first 15 years to develop a sound structure. Cathedral elm is tolerant of various soil types, pH ranges, pollution and salt.
The tree is distinguished by its large, elliptic leaves that turn yellow and orange in the fall.
The dense canopy and upright spreading habit make it good for use as a shade or street tree.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ulmus
- Family:
- Ulmaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Description:
- Flat papery samara with 1 seed
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Seperate male and female flowers in spring are insignificant clusters
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large green leaves with serrated margins and pointed tips. Fall color is yellow to orange.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought
- Urban Conditions
