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Emerald Sunshine Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Emerald Sunshine® 'JFS-Bieberich'

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ulmus propinqua 'JFS-Bieberich'
Phonetic Spelling
ULM-us da-vi-dee-AY-nah ja-PO-ni-ka
Description

Emerald Sunshine® elm is a woody, deciduous tree in the elm family (Ulmaceae). It is a cultivar bred to be resistant to insects, diseases, heat, drought and wind. It is resistant to elm leaf beetle, Japanese beetle and Dutch elm disease.

This tree is not picky about soil type or pH, but prefers moist soil. It requires full sun or partial shade. Give it room to grow as it matures to a height of 30 to 40 feet and a width of 25 to 30 feet. Once established, it is drought tolerant.

Emerald Sunshine elm has strong wood, an erect, vase-shaped form, and leaves that start out coppery bronze but mature to glossy deep green. It attracts small mammals and songbirds. 

Emerald Sunshine elm is an ideal shade, specimen or street tree for coastal areas, drought tolerant gardens, recreational play areas, or lawns when given the space it needs to grow, 24 to 60 feet. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, borers, beetles, and scale. Disease problems included Armillaria, Phytophthora, root rot, sooty mold and verticillium.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

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Tags:
#deciduous#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#cover plant#fall interest#disease resistant#wind tolerant#pest resistant#glossy leaves#nesting sites#deciduous tree#food source spring#fall color yellow#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#cover plant#fall interest#disease resistant#wind tolerant#pest resistant#glossy leaves#nesting sites#deciduous tree#food source spring#fall color yellow#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ulmus
    Species:
    propinqua
    Family:
    Ulmaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds and squirrels.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Elm leaf beetle and Japanese Beetle. Dutch Elm Disease and Phloem Necrosis.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 25 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Green to brown 1/4"-1/2" winged seed in spring. Fruits can cause a litter issue.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Winter
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous green red flowers appear in winter. Perfect flowers (both male and female in each flower).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    New leaves are coppery bronze, mature to deep green. The 4 inches by 2-inch alternate leaves are thick, deeply corrugated, obovate in shape with dentate margins. Undersides are hairy. Yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Furrowed
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    Bark remains smooth for several years, before becoming longitudinally fissured.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    New terminal twigs are greenish-gray, quite hairy.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Drought
    Heat
    Insect Pests
    Wind
    Problems:
    Messy