Planting Elm Versus Sycamore Trees

Planting Location

• 1

  Determine your hardiness zone. The American elm is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. It is a native to North America with a range spanning from the Rockies to the Eastern seaboard. The American sycamore, also native to North America, has a narrower range. Its natural range extends from the East Coast to the Great Plains. It is also native to the northeastern mountains of Mexico. The sycamore, unlike the elm, is only hardy within zones 5 to 9.

• 2

  Select a planting site. Both the American elm and American sycamore are long-lived, large trees with extensive root structures. The elm's root structure tends to grow downward rather than laterally. The minimum distance it can be planted from the street should be 2 feet; from the house, 15 feet; and 30 feet from any other tree. The sycamore, on the other hand, has a shallower root structure that spreads more laterally. As a result, sycamores are better suited to wide open spaces and should not be planted close to buildings. The U.K. Subsidence bureau recommends a minimum of 24.6 feet between buildings and sycamore trees.

• 3

  Consider carefully the environmental conditions of the site and the tree's planting requirements. Both the elm and the sycamore are tolerant of compacted soils and heavy pruning, making them suitable for urban plantings. However, the sycamore is more tolerant of smoke and air pollution than the elm, making the sycamore better suited to urban settings. Test the soil to ensure that the appropriate pH is present. Sycamores do better with soil pH levels between 5 and 6.5; elms prefer a pH between 6 and 7. Sycamores require full sun or light shade, need considerable soil moisture and do best in rich, deep, well-drained soils, but are tolerant of wet, poorly drained soils. Elms require full sun and like a moist soil. They can even tolerate flooding for short periods of time.

Sapling Planting Instructions

• 4

  Dig a hole twice the depth of your root system and three times as wide. Mix any needed amendments such as sand, compost or limestone into the soil removed from the hole to achieve the preferred consistency and pH for your chosen tree.

• 5

  Slice the root ball and untangle the roots. Try to spread the roots laterally or at a slight downward angle. Trim any damaged or broken roots.

• 6

  Place the tree in the hole so that the root collar is level with the edges of the hole. Fill in the hole with the soil previously removed. Arrange the soil so that it creates a slight mound that slopes away from the tree.

• 7

  Dig a shallow trench around the tree roughly where the edges of the hole had been. Use the removed dirt to create a raised ring just outside of the trench. This will create a catchment area that will slow runoff and allow water to soak into the earth at the roots. Water heavily.

• 8

  Cover the area beneath the tree with an organic mulch. This will reduce the number of weeds that will compete with the sapling before it is fully established. It will also help the soil to retain water, which is especially important with the elm. Do not pile mulch against the trunk of the tree, which invites pests and disease.