Content Detail

The ACCOLADE™ elm is a Chicagoland Grows® selection that demonstrates very good resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED) and elm leaf beetle. It is useful as a street, parkway, or shade tree. This elm has glossy green leaves and yellow fall color.

  • Family (English) Elm
  • Family (botanic) Ulmaceae
  • Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Wide median
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
  • Mature height 50-60 feet
  • Mature width 30-40 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous, Other
  • Shape or form Vase-shaped
  • Growth rate Fast
  • Transplants well Yes
  • Wildlife Migrant birds
  • Has cultivars NA

Native geographic location and habitat:

This elm is of hybrid origin.

Bark color and texture:

Bark is gray, ridged and furrowed.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

The leaves are alternate with toothed edges; shiny dark green in summer. Fall color is yellow.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Flowers are green and inconspicuous, appearing in early spring.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Seeds are enclosed in a flat, circular wing.

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