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There are more than 30 species of trees in the Ulmus genus. Elms are extremely popular landscape elements due to their beautiful, oval leaves and orderly look. Many species also develop fruits, known as samaras. Elms can even turn invasive if the environment is supportive. Elm trees are usually strong, but these following disease-resistant elm tree species are some of the most durable and resilient among all of them.
1. Cherry-Bark Elm
The cherry bark elm survives for a century. It grows into a bushy, massive tree with smooth bark. The fruits, samaras, have an elliptical shape and it is not prone to developing the so-popular Dutch elm disease. This makes it one of the most disease-resistant species.
2. Siberian Elm
The Siberian elm is a smaller species, and it grows quickly, so it is excellent if you want to decorate your garden in a short timeframe. It grows up to three feet each year as long as you keep it in full sun and well-drained soil. Siberian elms growing in North America are considered invasive because they are so resilient to poor conditions that they grow nearly anywhere. If you have poor soil and cannot grow other plants or trees, you should definitely consider the Siberian elm.
3. Chinese Elm
The Chinese elm comes with high adaptive qualities, so it can grow in nearly any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. In addition to this, you can opt for the Chinese elm instead of the American elm if you want to avoid the Dutch elm disease. Both types have the same shape, but the Chinese tree is more resistant to unfavorable conditions. Many people choose it for bonsai because it can thrive even if you prune it excessively.
4. English Elm
The English elm is also a fast grower that expands approximately 3 feet per year. It is also one of the tallest elm species as it can reach up to 50 feet. Before the spread of Dutch elm disease, this species was extremely common in England. It is tolerant of pollution and salty soils, but its wood is too weak for practical purposes, so it is now used only as a landscape tree.
5. David Elm
If you prefer a smaller species, the David elm might be exactly what you need. It comes with a rich canopy that turns vivid green. This tree is also used as a parent to create Dutch elm disease-tolerant hybrids. The David elm thrives in moist soil and does not adapt well in other conditions.
6. Camperdown Elm
The Camperdown elm looks similar to the weeping willows thanks to its dropping, training branches. Its rich foliage is ideal if you want to create an intimate atmosphere in your garden to more shade. The Camperdown elm thrives in moist soil, so you need to water it frequently, especially in case of drought.
7. American Elm
The American Elm is now the state tree of North Dakota and Massachusetts. It is a classic species that provide plenty of shade due to its rich vase canopy that reaches a spread of up to 75 feet. Although the species is very sensitive to the Dutch elm disease, numerous cultivars are more resilient, including Princeton, Jefferson, and Valley Forge.
