Mature treeElm
American Elm
Ulmus americana
$4.50per seedling
In stock this season
Sold in groups of 10 — online orders are limited to 1,000 seedlings total.
Quick facts
- Mature size
- — 60–80 ft tall · 40–70 ft wide
- Growth speed
- — Fast — more than 2 ft of new growth a year
- Sunlight
- — Full sun (6+ hrs direct sun) · Part shade (4–6 hrs)
- Soil
- — Average / moist · Wet / occasionally flooded
- Good for
- — Reforestation & timber · Yard, shade & beauty · Streamside & wet areas
- Wildlife
- — Early spring seeds feed finches and squirrels when little else is out; leaves host mourning cloak butterflies.
About this species
American elm is a stately native tree recognized for its graceful, vase-shaped form and arching branches that create a tall, elegant canopy. Once a dominant street and shade tree across much of the United States, it features dark green, serrated leaves that turn a warm yellow in fall. American elm thrives in moist, well-drained soils and adapts well to a variety of urban and rural conditions. Although Dutch elm disease greatly reduced its numbers in the 20th century, ongoing breeding and disease-resistant cultivars have renewed interest in planting this iconic species. Its resilience, beauty, and cultural significance make the American elm a valuable addition to landscapes where a long-lived, distinguished shade tree is desired.
Planting notes
Adaptable to wet and average soils. Mix it among other species at wide spacing to reduce spread of Dutch elm disease.