Green Vase Zelkova is a great shade tree choice for today’s landscapes.  A very popular tree in Asia which was brought to North America to replace the American Elm, Zelkova is treasured for its vase shape and beautiful fall foliage.  Tree trunks are smoother and lighter in coloration adding another attribute.

Bosque Elm, a variety of Chinese Elm, is frequently used in landscape settings when you need an Elm of smaller stature.  Adaptable to southern heat and drought tolerant once established these are great trees but have susceptibility to ice-storm damages.

Allee Elm, a variety of Chinese Elm, is frequently used to create avenue or alleyways.  A fast grower that is very hardy once established does well in southern heat.  The only negative is a tendency to be damaged during heavy ice storms and/or heavy wet snows due to it’s weaker branching structure.

Considered by many to be the premier landscape and shade tree in North America, the nation’s Elm populations were decimated by the introduction of Dutch Elm Disease in the 1920s. Many towns and cities in America had Elms that were over 100 years old and formed the backbone of the urban landscape. Many cities, particularly in the Midwest, lost 90% of their landscape and city street trees as this species was so widely planted.

A few years back it was discovered that the American Elms planted by Princeton Nursery in Princeton, New Jersey, had not succumbed to D.E.D. It appears that this cultivar has some small genetic variation which allows the tree to tolerate Dutch Elm Disease with no adverse effects.

Home & Garden Landscapes is actively involved in promoting the reintroduction of the American Elm and has a great selection of 18 + foot Elms. We urge everyone to do their part to reintroduce this Grand Dame of American trees to the North American landscape.

Read and learn more about the American Elm Project.