Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Description:

An attractive hybrid elm selection with a dense canopy, an upright spreading habit and large shiny leaves, very resistant to Dutch elm disease; makes a superb street tree or shade tree for home landscapes; very adaptable to adverse conditions

Ornamental Features

Cathedral Elm has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. The serrated pointy leaves turn yellow in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Cathedral Elm is a deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Cathedral Elm is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Shade

Planting & Growing

Cathedral Elm will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 50 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 6 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 90 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.