Todd Chinese Elm

Todd Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd') is a selected form of Chinese elm chosen for a dense upright canopy rather than the loose, spreading shape of the species. It reaches about 8m tall and 4m wide, grows quickly, and shrugs off frost, heat, wind and dry spells. Planted 3m apart it makes a tall screen. Left as a single tree it delivers real shade within a few seasons.

Why you'll love it

• Height without bulk. At 8m by 4m it screens a two storey outlook while still fitting a suburban block.
• Genuinely tough. Frost, heat, wind and drought are all within range once established, inland or coastal.
• Quick to useful size. Fast early growth means shade and privacy in years, not decades.
• Handsome bark and fine leaves. The small serrated leaves cast dappled light, and mature trunks develop the mottled, flaking bark Chinese elms are known for.

Where it works best

Tall screening. Plant 3m apart in a single row for a high canopy screen that blocks a neighbouring upper storey rather than just a fence line. Allow 4m from a boundary so the canopy has room.

Shade over a lawn or seating area. One tree gives a broad, filtered shade circle without the dense gloom that stops grass growing beneath it.

Driveways and avenues. Evenly spaced at 5m to 6m along a drive, the upright form lifts clear of vehicles and reads as a formal avenue.

Growing Todd Chinese Elm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun produces the straightest, densest tree. It performs across subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and mediterranean gardens. In warm districts it behaves as a semi evergreen, holding most of its leaves through winter.

Soil. Undemanding about soil type provided water does not sit around the roots. Dig a hole twice the width of the rootball, backfill with the native soil rather than pure compost, and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice weekly through the first two summers, tapering as the roots reach out. After that it copes with dry spells. A complete slow release fertiliser each spring is enough.

Pruning. Prune in the first three years to set a single leader and lift the lower branches to the height you want. Mature trees need only the removal of crossing or damaged wood, best done in late winter.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 400mm pots and in 45L, 75L, 100L, 200L and 400L containers, so it is available as a young tree or as advanced stock with real height on day one. The 400mm and 45L sizes establish fastest and catch up quickly; the larger containers suit gardeners who want immediate presence.

Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and a minimum order of $300 applies before delivery. Expect a settling period of four to six weeks, then strong extension growth in the first warm season. Every tree is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Evergreen and deciduous trees compared
• Screening plants that reach 4m to 8m
• Trees for driveways and avenues
• Fast growing shade trees

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a screen?

Three metres apart in a single row. The canopies meet within a few seasons and the screen sits high, which is what you want when the problem is an upstairs window rather than a fence.

Is it deciduous?

It depends on your climate. In cool temperate and frosty districts it goes bare for a short period before leafing out in early spring, while warmer gardens barely notice a change.

Are the roots a problem near paving?

Give it at least 3m from slabs, pipes and paving. Chinese elm roots are vigorous while the tree establishes, and distance is a simpler fix than a root barrier.