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FLORIDA TA ID#: 837 Ulmus parvifoliaCoMMoN NAME(s): Chinese elm, lacebark
elm, Drake elm r �-
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The Chinese elm, this is a selection
called 'Dynasty', has colorful fall foliage and its beautiful exfoliating bark adds
interest to the winter landscape.
DESCRIPTION
Chinese elm has the most beautiful bark- green, gray, orange and brown mottled and flaking in
small thin plates. This is a handsome tree, often with a trunk that forks and produces a vase shape
similar to American elm (U. americana). Chinese elm usually gets no more than 40-50 ft (12.2-15.2
m) tall. The leaves are typical elm leaves - about 2 in (5.1 cm) long, elliptic, toothed, conspicuously
veined and with unequal bases. Chinese elm is tardily deciduous, almost evergreen in mild climates.
Most elms produce their little winged "samaras" in the spring; this one fruits in the fall. The samaras
are flat and papery, about 1/3 in (0.8 cm) across and rather showy hanging in dense clusters. This is
a highly variable species and there are many cultivars in the trade, selected for form, size, bark
color, cold hardiness and foliage characteristics.
Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants lists 27 named cultivars. Siberian elm (U. pumila is
sometimes sold as U. parvifolia, but Siberian elm fruits in the spring, has rough bark, and is not
nearly as desirable an ornamental, with brittle branches that are constantly breaking off and leaves
that are unusually susceptible to insect damage.
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2004 Floridata.com The Chinese elm has beautiful
exfoliating bark that adds interest to the winter landscape.
LOCATION
Ulmus parvifolia, the Chinese or lacebark elm's native range extends across parts of China, Korea
and Japan.
CULTURE
Chinese elm is a fast growing tree that is adaptable to most soil
types.LIGHT: Full sun to partial shade.MOISTURE: Regular garden watering.
Chinese elm is not as tolerant of drought as Siberian elm.HARDINEss: USDA
Zones 5 - 9.PROPAGATION: Sow seed outside in containers as soon as they
ripen in fall. Cultivars are sometimes grafted onto seedlings. Greenwood tip
cuttings may be rooted under glass with bottom heat.
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2004 Floridata.com The Chinese elm is a tough durable little
tree that is often used in commercial plantings like this individual decorating a
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dry cleaner's parking lot. a 2010 Florrdeta com The leaves and
samaras of the 'Dynasty' Chinese elm are particularly colorful in autumn.
USAGE
Most of the elms make great shade and avenue trees, and Chinese elm is one of the best. This is a
good replacement for American elm which is apparently going extinct due to Dutch elm disease.
Foliage in autumn often turns shades of red and purple. With its multi-colored exfoliating bark,
Chinese elm is especially attractive in winter. There are some small cultivars that are used for
bonsai; 'Hokkaido' has tiny leaves and gets only about 1 ft (0.3 m) tall.
FEATURES
Chinese elm is a tough little tree, tolerant of urban air and soils and resistant to Dutch elm disease.
Fast growing and adaptable, this is a good choice when you want a shade tree for a small
landscape.
WARNING
Chinese elm trees are prodigious reseeders. In some regions this species is invasive and is
disrupting native plant populations. Before you plant this tree, check locally to determine if it is
causing problems in your area.
Steve Christman 10/22/00; updated 1/25/04, 8/25/06, 6/9/09, 11/18/10
U4S Weed of the WeePark
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Chinese Elm Ulmus parvifolia . � , .
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Common Names: Chinese elm, lacebark elm, Drake elm
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Native Origin: Asia- northern China, Japan, and Korea
Description: Chinese elm is a deciduous tree maturing at to a height '
of 50 feet and width of 60 feet. It is almost evergreen in mild climates. -
The small leaves are dark green and shiny, alternate, elliptical to
ovate, serrated, and 1.5 to 2.4 inches long. Fall foliage is yellow, gold,
orange, red, purple, and green, in early- to mid-November. Greenish-yellow flower . „ , ,
occur in the leaf axils with inflorescences opening in August and early September. Fruits .. '
are lime green, quickly maturing to a deep russet in September and October. The seeds • �w
are winged and are dispersed primarily by the wind. This moderate to rapid growth tree
can reach a mature trunk diameter of 3 to 4 feet and often forks to produce a vase q �
shape. Young bark is a flaky brown-gray color, but mature bark is an exfoliating, �a;'-
mottled, and flaky combination of gray, green, orange, tan, and red-brown as seen in 4.1
the photo above. This species develops a rounded crown with very fine branches.
Habitat: Generally hardy from zones 5 to 8 but can tolerate zones 4-9 and tolerant of
full sun to partial sun. Chinese elm prefers well-drained soils, but adapts to poor soils,
dry soils, soils of various pH, heat, and drought. Usually found escaping in the vicinity of
planted trees in urban or suburban settings.
CAMs Distribution: This species is reported from states shaded on
` � f� Plants Database map. It is reported invasive in DC, NC, NE, NJ, I1111111III�IIIpppII�IIllIIIpII(III
�kall�r Vii- VA, and WI. 2JJ 3 q
1141114. Ecological Impacts: It is an ornamental tree in urban areas planted for tough
durability, interesting bark and yellowish to reddish purple fall foliage as well as being
®«" . ura resistant to Dutch elm disease and air pollution. It has escaped intended plantings to
invade native plant communities. The aggressive root system absorbs water, nutrient, and space.
Control and Management:
• Manual- Hand pull small plants; remove all roots
• Chemical- It can be effectively controlled using any of several readily available general use herbicides such
as triclopyr or imazapyr. Use stem injections, cut-treat, and soil spots, with basal and foliar sprays for
seedlings and saplings. Follow label and state requirements.
• Biocontrol: The elm leaf beetle (pictured right) is an introduced pest that feeds on • e
Chinese elm. Canker disease is a fungus that attacks leaves, branches, and/or
trunks. This plant is considered invasive by ► orc
References: www.forestryimages.org, http://plants.usda.gov,
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/ulmus_parvifolia.html,
www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs/TMI/Plantlist/ul_folia.html,
www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/elm_leaf_beetle.htm,
www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/uparvifolia.htm
Produced by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Staff, Newtown Square, PA. WOW 04-18-05
Invasive Plants website: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants