NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm
Ulmus davidiana var. japonica
NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 25 to 30 ft tall and 25 to 30 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Hardy; dwarf; purple fall color.
Photos
- Photo 1: Ptelea, no known copyright restrictions (public domain)
- Photo 2: (c) Urgamal Magsar, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Stavast22, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 25 to 30 ft tall and 25 to 30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Vase-shaped
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Common problems on the Front Range
- Dutch elm disease (esp. American elm)
- Elm leaf beetle and European elm scale
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7 to 10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1 to 2×/month October to March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Conditionally Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm get?
- It matures to about 25 to 30 ft tall and 25 to 30 ft wide.
- How much room does NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm need?
- Give NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm about 30 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm grow into?
- NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm typically grows into a vase shape, a narrower base flaring to a high, arching crown that lifts over a patio or street. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm hardy on the Front Range?
- NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm is hardy in USDA 4 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm grow?
- NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm live?
- NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm turn in fall?
- NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm turns yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm can be affected by dutch elm disease (esp. American elm) and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
