English Elm

English Elm (Ulmus procera) is a full sized parkland shade tree, reaching about 15m tall and 10m across, with a broad domed canopy that turns clear gold before the leaves drop. It grows fast for a tree of this size, and frost, heat, wind and dry summers barely register. It also suckers freely from the roots, so it belongs on open ground rather than a courtyard.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade, and sooner than you expect. Fast growing for its size, so a large lawn or paddock gets usable summer shade within a decade.
• Gold autumn colour. The whole canopy turns clear yellow, then drops to let winter sun back through to the house.
• It handles hard conditions. Frost hardy, heat tolerant, wind tolerant and drought tolerant once established, on soils from sand to heavy clay.
• A tree with presence. The broad crown on a straight trunk is the classic avenue shape, which is why elms line so many older Australian streets.

Where it works best

Shade trees on large blocks. Allow 10m of clear space all round, and keep it 15m or more from a house, paving, drains or a septic system because of the suckering roots.

Driveways and avenues. Plant 10m to 12m apart in a single line, or in matched pairs either side of a drive, to close a canopy over the road without crowding.

Windbreaks on rural land. A staggered double row at 8m spacing filters wind across a paddock and gives stock shade at the same time.

Growing English Elm in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and open ground. It belongs in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and the autumn colour is strongest where winters are genuinely cold. It is not a tree for the humid tropics or subtropics.

Soil. Undemanding. It grows on sand, loam and heavy clay, tolerates poor ground and only objects to permanent waterlogging. Mulch 75mm deep, kept off the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, after which it looks after itself. A complete slow release fertiliser each spring for the first few years builds the canopy faster.

Pruning. Prune for structure in the first five years: one leader, well spaced branches, no tight forks. After that, leave it be. Mow or cut off root suckers as they appear, because they return if ignored.

What to expect when it arrives

Three sizes are grown. The 400mm pot is a young whip, the economical way to plant a long avenue. The 100L and 200L trees are advanced stock with real height and a formed head, for when the tree is the focal point of a new garden.

Deciduous trees are often dispatched bare of leaves through winter, which is normal and in fact the best time to plant one. Expect a metre or more of growth a year on good ground once it is away. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare varieties in the deciduous tree range.
• See the wider autumn colour collection.
• Read about the best canopy trees for creating shade.
• Browse mature specimens in advanced trees.

Common questions

How far from the house should I plant it?

At least 15m, and further again from paving, drains and septic systems. The roots are vigorous and sucker, so this is a tree for open ground rather than a suburban block.

Are the suckers a real problem?

They can be. Shoots come up from the roots several metres out, especially in lawn and irrigated beds. Mowing removes them; in garden beds cut them at ground level as they appear.

What about Dutch elm disease?

Dutch elm disease has never become established in Australia, which is why mature elms still line streets in Melbourne and Adelaide. Elm leaf beetle does occur in southern states and is treated when numbers build.