Ulmus 'Homestead'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ULM-us
- Description
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Homestead elm is a hybrid elm with resistance to Dutch elm disease. Hybrids have been being developed since the Dutch Elm Disease killed many of the Elms and are hybrids between American, European and Asian varieties. When mature the arching oval to pyramidal shape makes a great shade or street tree.
Homestead is adaptable to a wide range of soil types including poor soils and is reasonably drought tolerant once established. Plant in full sun and away from concrete due to the aggressive root system. It can benefit from pruning to strengthen the form.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Homestead can be susceptible to elm leaf beetle and Japanese beetle.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered 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
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Hybrid
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Oval
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Flat samara are carried by the wind
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Greenish pendulous racemes in the spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-4 inch long and half as wide dark green oval leaves with pointed tips and fine hairs on the undersides. The fall color is straw yellow.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth and gray, becoming fissured with interlacing flat ridges in old age.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young stems are brown to gray and smooth.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Street Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Frequent Insect Problems
