Plant DetailShow Menu

Chinese Elm Ulmus parvifolia 'Emer 11'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Chinese Elm:

Previously known as:

  • Allee
Description

Chinese elm is a large ornamental deciduous shade tree in the Ulmaceae (elm) family native to China, Korea, and Japan. It is a tough, durable, upright tree that grows quickly to 40 to 60 feet tall and wide and is easy to transplant.

Winter interest is provided by the exfoliating bark that appears in shades of brown, tan, gray, olive, or cinnamon. Plant in the full sun to partial shade and while it is adaptable to different soil and pH types, it prefers well-drained soil. It tolerates being planted in wet sites and is moderately salt tolerant. There is great variability among seedlings, and there are many cultivars available.

Chinese Elm makes a shade-resistant street or urban tree that is resistant to Dutch elm disease and air pollution. Unfortunately, it has very low wind resistance and has the potential to be weedy through self-seeding in surrounding landscapes. It is used in bonsai.  Consider native alternatives to this invasive tree such as Acer rubrum (Red Maple), Betula nigra (River Birch), Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam), Celtis occidentalis (Common Hackberry), Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree), Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) and Ulmus americana (American Elm).

'Emer 11' is a medium-sized cultivar of the Chinese elm.  It has resistance to Dutch elm disease and is unaffected by the elm leaf beetle, as well as leaf scorch, dieback and cold winters.   

Its most distinctive feature is its fluted trunk which exhibits showy exfoliating bark in shades of green, gray, orange, and brown.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues, occasional insects affecting this plant can include leaf miners, beetles, mealy bugs, scale, caterpillars and borers.  Diseases can include wilts, rots and cankers.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade tree#drought tolerant#air pollution tolerant#street tree#deciduous tree#urban conditions tolerant#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#medium size tree#broadleaf#trees#tree
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#shade tree#drought tolerant#air pollution tolerant#street tree#deciduous tree#urban conditions tolerant#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#medium size tree#broadleaf#trees#tree
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ulmus
    Species:
    parvifolia
    Family:
    Ulmaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Great as a shade tree and street tree.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Shade
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Single seeded, each seed is surrounded by a flatted papery wing.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Description:
    Late summer will bring on insignificant reddish-green flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow, dark green leaves turn a dull yellow in the fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Orange
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    It boasts attractive, multicolored bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Street Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Urban Conditions
    Wet Soil