Inspire Chinese Elm

Inspire Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia 'Inspire') is a narrow, upright selection bred for the gap between a house and a boundary fence. It reaches about 8m tall but only 3m wide, so it screens a two storey outlook without pushing into the garden or the neighbour's yard. Fast growing, tough on poor soil and hardy from Cairns to Canberra, it is one of the few columnar trees that suits a normal suburban block.

Why you'll love it

• It gets there quickly. A fast growing elm that puts on real height in its early years, unlike most narrow conifers.
• Hardy across most of the country. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, wind tolerant and content in poor soil, so it copes with subtropical, temperate and Mediterranean gardens alike.
• Low maintenance form. The narrow habit is natural, not clipped, so you are not committing to twice yearly shaping.
• Small, fine leaves. Litter is light and easily raked, which matters near paving and pools.

Where it works best

Screening and privacy. Plant 1.5m apart in a single row, since wider than 2m and you read individual trees rather than a screen. The crowns overlap into a green wall while each tree keeps its columnar shape.

Driveways and avenues. For a formal avenue, stretch spacing to 3m so each tree reads individually and the trunks line up cleanly.

Small gardens and feature planting. A single tree gives height in a courtyard where a spreading canopy would be unworkable. Allow about 1.5m clearance from a wall or fence.

Growing Inspire Chinese Elm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the densest, most even column; part shade gives a looser habit. It performs across cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens, from Hobart to south east Queensland. Frost is not a problem once established.

Soil. Adaptable, including compacted and poor urban soil, provided water does not sit around the roots. Dig the hole twice the width of the pot, backfill with native soil, and mulch 75mm deep clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers to send roots down, then taper off. It is drought tolerant once mature, and a complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Very little. Remove any competing leader while the tree is young so it holds a single trunk. Lift lower branches only if you want clear stem; hard shearing spoils the natural column.

What to expect when it arrives

This elm is supplied in 45L. That is an advanced tree with a formed leader and a developed root ball, so a screen looks like a screen in its first year rather than its fourth.

Trees this size are heavy and are freighted upright and staked. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Expect some leaf drop in the fortnight after planting, which is normal for a semi deciduous elm moving site. Water deeply and stake loosely for the first year. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare tall and narrow screening plants
• Best trees for lining driveways
• Screening plants 4m to 8m
• Browse the driveway trees range

Common questions

Does it lose its leaves?

It is semi deciduous, so behaviour depends on climate. In subtropical and warm gardens it holds most of its foliage; in cool temperate districts it drops leaves over winter and reshoots in early spring.

Are the roots a problem near paving?

Chinese elm roots are fibrous rather than aggressive, though any tree of this height deserves respect. Leave about 1.5m between the trunk and hard surfaces or services.

How quickly will it screen?

From 45L stock, expect a usable screen within one to two seasons in a warm garden with regular water, and longer in cooler southern districts.