Lacebark or Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia (ULMACEAE)
Planting and Growing Lacebark Elm Trees
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow lacebark or Chinese elm trees in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and seeds of lacebark or Chinese elm trees
- Growing conditions for lacebark or Chinese elm
- When to plant lacebark or Chinese elm
- How to plant lacebark or Chinese elm
- How to prune lacebark or Chinese elm
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of lacebark or Chinese elm
- Landscape uses of lacebark or Chinese elm
- Pest and disease control for lacebark or Chinese elm
Growing Lacebark Elm Trees
Several cultivars of fast-growing, upright and spreading, deciduous or semi-evergreen trees, to 60 ft. (18 m) tall and wide, with willowlike, nodding branchlets and deep green, oval, pointed, finely toothed leaves, to 3 in. (75 mm) long, turning bronze, yellow in autumn, and with sycamore-like, flaking, reddish to gray bark.
Lacebark Elm Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Seeds
Inconspicuous, clustered flowers in early spring form numerous winged seed, to 5/16 in. (8 mm) wide, in late spring.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 5–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average. 5.5–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun. Space 15–20 ft. (4.5–6 m) apart.
Proper Care
Moderate. Allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Fertilize annually in spring until established. Prune to thin after bloom. Propagate by cuttings, layering, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for allées, containers, shade in bonsai, patio, roadside plantings. Drops flowers, seed, leaves, requiring maintenance. Somewhat resistant to elm leaf beetle, Dutch elm disease. Aphid, leafhopper, scale and fireblight susceptible.