The Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is one of the elm trees more resistant to elm leaf beetles. This is a deciduous to evergreen tree depending on climate with a moderate growth rate.
Widely used as a street tree Ulmus parvifolia will reach around 12m and with a nice spreading canopy makes an excellent choice as a street tree.
Foliage is dense and a deep green, flowers are inconspicuous and not regarded as a feature.
Trees are sold as cutting grown and budded as well as from seed. The cutting grown trees do have a less vigorous root system. Look for specimens with one dominant leader for a good upright tree in the longer term.
Chinese Elm Care
Reaching a height of up to 10m in cultivation although taller in ideal open situations, Chinese Elms grow well in full sun to part shade. A broad crown to 10m make this an excellent shade tree. As these are tree that are tolerant of a range of soil conditions including poorer soils, compacted situations in urban areas and both dry and moist situations they are valuable in urban situations.
Varieties and species
A few forms and grafted varieties exist including ‘Burnley Select’ which is more upright than the species and ‘Yarralumla Clone’ which is more of a spreading and weeping variety than the species. In a warm winter in Melbourne the Chinese elm will be almost evergreen, in a cool winter, semi deciduous. Further north they remain evergreen in all but the coldest years. Foliage turns a golden yellow in winter.
Ulmus parvifolia ‘Inspire’ has a more upright or columnar growth habit and is useful for planting in more confined spaces or along driveways.
Todd and Reflection are other named cultivars.
Chinese elms can be pruned and will reshoot from old wood, in general pruning is not generally needed, they are however in the early stages often pruned to maintain a single central leader.
Pruning Chinese Elms
Chinese elms can be pruned and will reshoot from old wood, in general pruning is not really needed. Initial or formative pruning however is carried out by growers in the early stages, they often pruned to maintain a single central leader.
Problems
Chinese Elms do sett lots of seed and can become a weed problem in some climates more than others. In warmer sub tropical climates such as Brisbane that are regarded as invasive weeds.
They also take a lot of moister from the soil and usually need to be poisoned to remove them as the root system is strong and will reshoot.
Other invasive tree include Cocos palms, Camphor Laurel, Schefflera actinophylla (Umbrella Tree), Ice Cream Bean.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Ulmus parvifolia
- Common Names – Chinese Elm
- Position – Best in full sun to part shade.
- Soil – Humus rich, moist and well drained.
- Height – Generally from 9 – 12 metres
- Spread – Will spread form a canopy from 8 – 10 metres.
- Growth Rate – Fast
- Foliage – Deep green turning to red and yellow in autumn.
- Flowers – Green and inconspicuous.
- Flowering Time – Spring.
- Frost tolerant – Yes
- Drought tolerant – Yes
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- Camellias
Chinese Elm Trees are available for sale from the following nurseries
Online and Retail Melbourne and Geelong based garden centres. Check out their large range of indoor and outdoor plants, Australian Natives, Fruit Trees and Edibles, Succulents, Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas plus a full range garden products for delivery in Melbourne.
www.diacos.com.au
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees.
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service.
www.blericktreefarm.com.au
WINTER HILL TREE FARM Ph: 02 4878 9193 Fax: 02 4878 9109
NSW Southern Highlands
Retail & Wholesale. Advanced trees & hedging. Grown in pots for year-round planting. 45 litre - 1000 litre available. Great range. Great Quality. Delivery available.
www.winterhill.com.au