DANADA CHARM™ elm

A mature specimen of DANADA CHARM™ elm.

The DANADA CHARM™ elm has very good Dutch elm disease (DED) and elm yellows resistance but is susceptible to elm leaf beetle. Its size makes it ideal for large yards and along streets. Its emerging leaves are glossy red, turning dark green in summer and yellow in fall. This tree is a Chicagoland Grows® selection.

Botanical name:

Ulmus 'Morton Red Tip'

All Common Names:

DANADA CHARM™ elm

Family (English):

Elm

Family (Botanic):

Ulmaceae

Planting Site:

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

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:

60-70 feet

Mature Width:

50-60 feet

Light Exposure:

  • Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)

Hardiness Zones:

  • Zone 4,
  • Zone 5 (Chicago)

Soil Preference:

  • Moist, well-drained soil

Acid Soils:

  • Tolerant

Alkaline Soils:

  • Tolerant

Salt Spray:

  • Moderately Tolerant

Soil Salt:

  • Moderately Tolerant

Drought Conditions:

  • Tolerant

Poor Drainage:

  • Tolerant

Planting Considerations:

  • Weak wood and branch structure

Ornamental Interest:

  • Fall color

Season of Interest:

  • Early spring,
  • Early fall,
  • Mid fall

Flower Color & Fragrance:

  • Inconspicuous

Shape or Form:

  • Vase-shaped

Growth Rate:

  • Fast

Transplants Well:

  • Yes

Wildlife:

  • Migrant birds

More Information:

Tree & Plant Care

Generally, elm cultivars prefer sun.  Adapt easily to extremes in soil pH, moisture and heat and wind tolerance.
Do not prune elms between mid-April and mid-October.

Disease, pests, and problems

Elm leaf beetles may feed on leaves.

Disease, pest, and problem resistance

Very good resistance to Dutch elm disease and elm yellows.

Native geographic location and habitat

Of hybrid origin.

Bark color and texture 

Bark is gray-brown and shallowly furrowed.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture

Oval, pointed leaves have tooth-within-tooth margins. Leaf is shorter on one side of center vein than on the other. Leaves emerge red in spring, then become green in summer and finally yellow in fall.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size

Inconspicuous flowers in early spring.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions

Seed in small oval samara (seed case with wings for wind dispersal).

Location of Ulmus 'Morton Red Tip' (DANADA CHARM™ elm) at the Arboretum