Common Name: Lacebark Elm
Scientific Name: Ulmus parvifolia
Order: Urticales
Family: Ulmaceae
Description The leaf arrangement of the lacebark elm (also known as Chinese elm) is alternate. Each leaf is oval with a serrate margin. Typical leaf coloration is leathery green, with purple, red, and yellow in the fall. The tree grows to a height of 40 to 50 feet with a spread of 35 to 50 feet. The bark is thin, thus giving rise to its common name as the lacebark elm. The tree produces a hard and dry fruit that brown and typically less than .5 inches in length. The root system contains a number of large-diameter members located close to the surface, and can grow for a long distance from the trunk.
Growth Habit Lacebark elm is deciduous, but has been known to be evergreen in the southern extent of its range. The trees typically have a single trunk, although some have split trunks. They typically grow to a mature height of over 10 – 12 feet. It produces a bloom from late summer to fall which is yellow to green in color. A fruit is set in the fall.
Hardiness Zone(s) The USDA hardiness zones for this plant are 5B through 10A.
Culture Lacebark elm has no demanding culture for its habitat, and is considered to be quite hardy. It grows well in part shade as well as full sun, and has a high drought tolerance. For habitats near ocean, it has a moderate air-borne salt tolerance. For soils, it tolerates nearly all types, from clay, to sand, to loam. Its pH tolerance ranges from acidic to alkaline. It prefers well-drained soil, but will tolerate occasional full saturation.
Diseases & Insects Unlike some other variations of elm, lacebark elm is generally resistant to elm leaf beetle and Japanese beetle. It is also typically resistant to Dutch elm disease, as well as phloem necrosis. Being in an overly wet environment may cause cankers. Some horticulturists advise not to grow this tree in soil that has previously seen cotton crop, as it may succumb to cotton root rot.
Landscape Value By far and large, lacebark elm is most often seen in urban settings for use as a shade tree. In some locations it is used as sidewalk cover in neighborhood settings. It is also seen as a landscape tree in some urban commercial developments that must accommodate foot traffic, such as parking lots.
References Gilman, E. F. and D. G. Watson. 1994. Ulmus parvifolia. Chinese Elm. United States Forest Service Fact Sheet ST-652. TechHort. 2001. Lacebark Elm. Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University. Online.
This document was authored by Kailee Hervey, College of Liberal Arts, Louisiana Tech University, April 2015.