American Elm
Ulmus americana
The classic American street tree famous for its graceful vase-shaped canopy that once lined countless city streets. Modern disease-resistant cultivars have brought this beloved native back from near extinction caused by Dutch elm disease. Fast-growing and adaptable, American elms create cathedral-like canopies perfect for large properties and urban settings.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–9
USDA hardiness
Height
60-80 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for American Elm in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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American Elm · Zones 3–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
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 pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet, Very Dry. Water: ULM-us a-mer-ih-KAY-nah. Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: 'Creole Queen' 'Deleware #2'Disease resistent, vigorous grower. 'Jefferson'Disease resistant, 50 feet and vase-shaped. LibertyNot as disease resistant as some others, comprised of more than one clone. New HarmonyUpright, 70 feet tall and wide, not as disease resistant as some others. 'Princeton'Vase-shaped, good disease resistance, 70 feet high by 50 feet wide. 'Princeton' 'Valley Forge'Classic Elm tree form, best dutch elm disease resistance., 'Creole Queen', 'Deleware #2', 'Jefferson', Liberty, New Harmony, 'Princeton', 'Princeton', 'Valley Forge'. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The flowers give way to single-seeded wafer-like samaras (each tiny seed is surrounded by a flattened oval-rounded papery wing). The seeds are clustered on long stems and mature in April-May as the leaves reach full size. In North Carolina, fruits are available from March to April.
Type: Samara.
Harvest time: Spring
Bloom time: Winter
History & Origin
Origin: Eastern North America
Advantages
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators, Small Mammals, Songbirds
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hostas
Thrives in the dappled shade provided by elm canopy, creates attractive understory
Wild Ginger
Native groundcover that tolerates deep shade and helps suppress weeds
Coral Bells
Shade-tolerant perennial that adds color and attracts beneficial pollinators
Astilbe
Flourishes in partial shade with consistent moisture retained by elm's canopy
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that thrive in filtered light and leaf litter
Violets
Native groundcover that naturalizes well under established trees
Bleeding Heart
Spring ephemeral that complements elm's seasonal cycle and shade conditions
Wild Columbine
Native woodland flower that attracts beneficial insects and tolerates root competition
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can stress or kill elm trees through allelopathy
Turf Grass
Competes aggressively for water and nutrients, compacts soil around shallow elm roots
Norway Maple
Dense canopy blocks light and aggressive roots outcompete elm for resources
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Modern cultivars have improved Dutch elm disease resistance
Common Pests
Elm leaf beetle, elm bark beetle, aphids
Diseases
Dutch elm disease, elm yellows, powdery mildew