What hardiness zones is Ulmus procera suitable for?

Ulmus procera is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Ulmus procera?

Ulmus procera requires Full Sun.

How much water does Ulmus procera need?

Ulmus procera has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Ulmus procera

English elm

Ulmaceae

Possibly Spain; widely planted throughout Britain (debated origin)

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height60-100 feet (18-30 m)

Width40-60 feet (12-18 m)

Maturity30 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancehigh

Overview

Ulmus procera (sometimes treated as a synonym of Ulmus minor) is a large deciduous tree reaching 60-100 feet (18-30 m) tall with a spread of 40-60 feet (12-18 m), developing a tall, broadly vase-shaped to columnar crown with a distinctive high, domed canopy. One of the largest and most stately of the elms. Bark is dark gray-brown, deeply furrowed into rectangular blocks. Leaves are alternate, simple, broadly ovate to suborbicular, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, doubly serrate, with the characteristic asymmetrical elm base, rough-textured above (less so than U. glabra), dark green. Fall color is yellow, sometimes attractive. Flowers are small, reddish, in clusters along branches in February to March before leaf emergence. Fruit is a round samara, typically infertile — this species rarely sets viable seed and reproduces primarily by root suckers, suggesting it may be a single ancient clone. This clonal reproduction made the species extremely vulnerable to Dutch elm disease, which killed an estimated 25 million English elms in Britain in the 1960s-1980s. Growth rate is moderate at 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) per year. Produces abundant root suckers. Highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NEW PLANTINGS due to disease vulnerability; studied in horticulture courses for historical significance.

Native Range

Taxonomic origin debated; possibly native to Spain and introduced to Britain by Romans or earlier peoples. Some authorities treat it as a synonym of Ulmus minor or as a distinct clonal population of ancient hybrid origin. Widely planted throughout Britain and formerly dominant in the English landscape before Dutch elm disease.

Suggested Uses

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NEW PLANTINGS. Included in horticulture curricula for historical and botanical significance. Existing specimens should be monitored and maintained. For new plantings requiring a large, vase-shaped shade tree, consider disease-resistant elm cultivars ('Princeton', 'Valley Forge', 'Accolade') or alternative genera (Zelkova serrata, Celtis occidentalis).

How to Identify

Identified by tall, broadly vase-shaped to columnar form with high domed canopy, dark gray-brown deeply furrowed bark in rectangular blocks, broadly ovate dark green leaves 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) with asymmetrical bases, and abundant root suckering. Distinguished from U. glabra by taller, narrower form, smaller leaves, and deeply furrowed (not smooth) bark. Distinguished from U. americana by more columnar form and smaller, rounder leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 100'

Width/Spread40' - 60'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Small reddish flowers in clusters appear on bare branches in February to March, before leaf emergence. Not ornamentally significant. Fruit (samaras) are typically infertile. The tree reproduces primarily vegetatively through root suckers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Reddish

Foliage Description

Dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-20 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR NEW PLANTINGS due to extreme susceptibility to Dutch elm disease. For existing specimens: water during drought stress, which increases disease vulnerability. Monitor annually for Dutch elm disease symptoms: wilting, yellowing, and browning of branches (flagging), particularly in summer. Remove and destroy affected branches immediately, cutting at least 6 feet (1.8 m) below visible symptoms. Sterilize tools between cuts. Report suspected infections to local authorities. Elm bark beetles spread the disease; maintain tree vigor to reduce susceptibility.

Pruning

Prune ONLY during the dormant season (November through February) — pruning wounds during the growing season attract elm bark beetles that transmit Dutch elm disease. Remove dead, damaged, and crossing branches. Remove root suckers if not desired. Avoid creating large wounds. For existing heritage specimens, consult a certified arborist experienced with Dutch elm disease management.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

high

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic