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 25–30 ft tall and 25–30 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 4–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 25–30 ft tall and 25–30 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
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
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 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–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 25–30 ft tall and 25–30 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 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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 deer-resistant?
- NORTHERN EMPRESS® Elm is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- 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.
