Hybrid Elm
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Most hybrid elms generally range from 30-100' tall & wide. Rate of growth is usually medium to fast. Longevity for hybrid elms is not extremely long… usually 75-200 years, often depending on their eventual susceptibility to various insect & disease problems.

Native Range

Only a few elms are native to the U.S. The American Elm has been hybridized to produce better resistance to the fatal Dutch Elm Disease. Several hybrid elms are crosses of Asian elms or European elms.

Flower and Fruit Details

Most hybrid elms flower in early spring, but some flower in late summer/fall. Flowers normally have no petals, are wind-pollinated, not showy, reddish, greenish or yellowish. Elm fruits are flat, thin, papery, wafer-like, rounded to oblong/ovate samaras, green to tan/brown, in early spring or early fall, depending on the parent species. The seed is usually a darker bulge in the center of the wafer-like disc.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves are alternate, simple, usually medium green to dark green on top, sometimes rough-pubescent on top & often on the bottom, single or doubly serrated around the margin, acute or acuminate at the tip, often w/ an oblique, uneven leaf base. Fall color often yellow, may not be showy. Some types show some red or purple fall color. Bark gray to brownish gray, sometimes mottled with orange and green, scaly or furrowed with age.

Culture and Care

Most prefer full sun and moist, well drained soils, but usually will adapt to various types of soil and weather conditions. Most are cold-hardy from Zones 3, 4 or 5 and do well up to Zones 7, 8 or 9. Hybrid Elms are often developed to increase resistance to Dutch Elm Disease, elm leaf beetles and Japanese beetles.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

3-season interest: Spring, summer & fall.

Suggested Uses

Most hybrid elms are used as shade trees in landscapes, parks & campuses. Some are suitable for use as street trees.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA