ACCOLADE™ elm

ACCOLADE™ elm in fall color.
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.

Botanical name:

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica 'Morton'

All Common Names:

ACCOLADE™ elm

Family (English):

Elm

Family (Botanic):

Ulmaceae

Planting Site:

  • Residential and parks,
  • City parkway,
  • Wide median

Tree or Plant Type:

  • Tree

Foliage:

  • Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)

Native Locale:

  • Non-native

Landscape Uses:

  • Parkway/street,
  • Shade tree,
  • Specimen

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 (Chicago),
  • Zone 6,
  • Zone 7,
  • Zone 8

Soil Preference:

  • Moist, well-drained soil

Tolerances:

  • Dry sites,
  • Occasional drought,
  • Alkaline soil

Acid Soils:

  • Tolerant

Alkaline Soils:

  • Tolerant

Salt Spray:

  • Moderately Tolerant

Soil Salt:

  • Moderately Tolerant

Drought Conditions:

  • Tolerant

Poor Drainage:

  • Intolerant

Ornamental Interest:

  • Fall color

Season of Interest:

  • Early winter,
  • Mid winter,
  • Late winter,
  • Early fall,
  • Mid fall

Flower Color & Fragrance:

  • Inconspicuous,
  • Other

Shape or Form:

  • Vase-shaped

Growth Rate:

  • Fast

Transplants Well:

  • Yes

Wildlife:

  • Migrant birds

More Information:

Tree & Plant Care

Prefers a moist, well-drained soil.
Do not prune elm trees between mid-April and mid-October.

Disease, pests, and problems

European elm flea weevil is a minor problem.
Wetwood can occur.

Disease, pest, and problem resistance

Very good resistant to Dutch elm disease, elm yellows and elm leaf beetle.

Native geographic location and habitat

Of hybrid origin.

Bark color and texture

Bark is gray, ridged and furrowed.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture

Alternate leaves 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 enclosed in a flat, circular wing.

Location of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica 'Morton' (ACCOLADE™ elm) at the Arboretum