Chinese Elm Ulmus parvifolia

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.

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:   Winter          Bloom: Late Spring, Summer, or Fall        Foliage:  Summer and Fall    Fruit:  Fall and Early Winter

Quick ID Hints: 

• lacy, exfoliating bark in shades of brown, tan, olive, and cinnamon
• Inverted pins bearing leaves
• leaves simple, alternate, glossy dark green, smooth upper surface, and hairy on the lower surface
• leaves asymmetrical, parallel veins
• leaves coriaceous, persisting, medium to very small
• blooms in late summer in clusters
• fruits are samara, elliptical to ovate with the seed in the center

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Do not plant near structures or in natural areas.  It is potentially invasive.  Branches can break when stressed with wind, snow, or ice.  Has good resistance to Japanese beetle and elm leaf beetle. Also has good resistance to Dutch elm disease, a fatal fungal disease spread by airborne bark beetles.  It occasionally experiences disease problems like wilts, rots, cankers, and leaf spots.