Botanical Name: Ulmus parvifolia
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Common Name: Lacebark Elm, Chinese Elm  
Plant photo of: Ulmus parvifolia
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree

 

Height Range

40-60'

 

Flower Color

Green, Yellow

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Fast, Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Moist, Dry

 

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Formal, Japanese, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Fall Color, Specimen

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Patio, Park, Street Tree

 

Special Uses

Shade Tree

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Normans/Brad Smith
  • Description

  • Notes

Graceful, round-headed tree often with pendulous branches. Lacebark Elm grows moderately 40 to 50 feet, with a spread of 25 to 40 feet. Small, deep green, lustrous leaves turn yellow or orange in fall. Small, greenish yellow flower appear in summer, followed by small light brown fruit; both are insignificant. Bark is brown gray but with maturity, exfoliates to reveal orange, gray, green and brown inner bark. Excellent shade tree.
Do not confuse this elm with the Siberian elm, a weedy tree with prolific seed and prone to disease. Lacebark is a durable, tough, beautiful tree. Adaptive to a variety of soil ph, even in the extremes. Fastest rate of growth with regular water in good, well drained soil, and in full sun. But avoid over-watering, as the pratice encourages shallow roots. Resistant to Dutch Elm disease and phoem necrosis.