American Elm (Ulmus americana)

How much light does an American Elm need?

American elm does best in full sun, and part shade is also listed for it. Full sun here means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. The range recorded for this tree runs from full sun to partial shade. Part shade is a listed condition for the tree, while full sun is the preferred one.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2,3

Best soil for an American Elm

This tree is recorded in soil that is well drained, moist, occasionally dry or occasionally wet. The drainage range runs from wet to well-drained soil. Moist soil is listed, and so are spells when the ground is occasionally wet or occasionally dry. The recorded pH range is 6 to 8, which the source labels neutral. That puts the range between pH 6.0 and 8.0 on the soil pH scale.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist, occasionally dry and occasionally wet^1,2
• Soil pH: pH 6–8¹

Hardiness and temperature

American elm is rated for USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b. The recorded list runs 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b. Zone 3a is the coldest zone in that range, and zone 9b is the warmest. Check your own USDA zone against that range before you plant.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

Pruning an American Elm

The pruning method recorded for American elm is hard renewal pruning, done in the fall. That means cutting the tree to the ground in the fall every two or three years. Cut back this way, the tree can be kept at a shrub size. The recorded mature height is 60–89.9 ft (18.3–27.4 m).

• Pruning: Hard renewal pruning (Sep–Nov)¹

How to plant an American Elm

Plant American elm where your USDA zone falls between 3a and 9b. Give it room for a mature spread of 49.9–69.9 ft (15.2–21.3 m). The tree reaches 60–89.9 ft (18.3–27.4 m) tall at maturity. Choose a site with full sun, which is the preferred light. Its growth rate is rapid. Pick ground that is well drained or moist, with a pH of 6 to 8.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

Winter care

As a deciduous tree, American elm is recorded as hardy in zones 3a to 9b. In zone 3a, the coldest zone listed, the tree is still recorded as hardy. In zone 9b, the warmest zone listed, it is also recorded as hardy. The full list runs through each half zone from 3a to 9b.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to propagate an American Elm

You can propagate American elm from seed or from cuttings, and both appear in the recorded methods. Seed and stem cuttings are the two methods recorded. The cuttings listed are softwood cuttings. Nothing else is recorded as a propagation method for this tree. Choose seed or a softwood stem cutting, whichever suits the time and material you have.

• Propagation: Seed and stem cuttings^2,3

Common problems

The diseases recorded for American elm are Dutch elm disease, elm phloem necrosis and wetwood. Of those three, Dutch elm disease is the one described in detail: it is a fatal fungal disease spread by airborne bark beetles. Elm phloem necrosis is also listed as a common disease of this tree. Wetwood is listed as a common disease of this tree too.

• Common diseases: dutch elm disease, elm phloem necrosis and wetwood¹

Questions and answers

How much sun does American elm need?

American elm prefers full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed for it. The recorded range runs from full sun to partial shade.

Which zones can grow American elm?

American elm is rated for USDA hardiness zones 3a to 9b. Zone 3a is the coldest zone listed, and zone 9b is the warmest. Check your own zone against that range before you plant it.

How big does American elm get?

A mature American elm stands 60–89.9 ft (18.3–27.4 m) tall. Its mature spread is 49.9–69.9 ft (15.2–21.3 m). Its growth rate is rapid, and it is a deciduous tree.