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Allee® Lacebark Elm
Preorder now for Spring delivery.
Allée® Chinese Elm is a majestic, fast-growing shade tree that you should seriously consider planting if you have the room. This isn’t the junky Siberian Elm tree that some bargain-basement nurseries sell as "Chinese Elm," but the quality tree also known as “Lacebark Elm.” Allée® is a regal tree with lofty, arching branches and a beautiful fluted trunk. It’s as tough as it is handsome, coping well with city conditions when planted in the urban landscape. Use it to line your street or driveway (as in an “allée") or to shade your deck or patio. As a bonus, Allée® Elm leaves are small, making fall clean-up a breeze!
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 5-9
- Spacing: 50-60'
- Exposure: Full Sun
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Other Great Shade Trees
The Story
Chinese Elm can be found in the wild in China, Japan, and Korea. It has long been a favored species for bonsai. Westerners took an early liking to the plant, and Europeans have been growing it in their gardens since before the 18th Century. Allée® (pronounced al-LAY) originated on the campus of the University of Georgia. Tree expert Michael Dirr was teaching there, noticed the 70-year-old tree, and knew that with its majestic vase shape and jigsaw-puzzle bark, it would be a hit. He introduced it in 1989.
The Details
Allee Lacebark Elm is truly a one-of-a-kind specimen. Although not the traditional American Elm, this outstanding tree deserves a chance to be used as its substitute. Rich green leaves, fine branching, high resistance to Dutch Elm disease and Elm beetles make it an exceptional choice to provide shade in your lawn. Best of all is the decorative, puzzle-like pattern that develops on the trunk and branches, displaying patches of grays, greens, and oranges.
How to Grow
Lacebark Elms grow to be large trees with the most excellent exfoliating bark we have ever seen! This fast-grower is the best cultivar of all Elms because of its nice fall color, nice growth habit, that excellent exfoliating bark, and a good track record of disease resistance. Lacebark Elms do well in a range of soil conditions as long as they are moist and well-drained. They like to be planted in full sun and have a high level of drought tolerance as well. Lacebark Elms are not difficult to maintain at all. For the first 3 years or so, give it a medium rate dose of fertilizer, preferably once in the fall. This helps your tree produce healthy new growth for the following growing season. Lacebark Elms may have the occasional visit from Japanese Beetles, but they aren’t a major concern. The Lacebark Elm also develops some surface roots over time, meaning that planting directly under the tree is probably not going to happen very successfully. But the surface roots do have that same excellent exfoliating bark as the rest of the tree.
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