Types of Lacebark Elms

Growing Conditions

• Most lacebark elms grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 4 and above, and the species is common in New England. North Carolina State University notes it doesn’t grow as fast as the American elm tree did, but it is still a relatively fast grower and works well as a street tree.

Hardiness Over Decoration

• Two cultivars, Dynasty and King’s Choice, are hardy and fare relatively well in winter, but they do not have the characteristic lacey pattern on their bark. The University of Connecticut notes Dynasty has good fall color but says other cultivars offer greater benefits.

Emerald Cultivars

• The cultivars Allee and Athena, also known as Emer II and Emer I or Emerald Vase and Emerald Isle, respectively, are a more ornamental pair that have become very common in the U.S. Both are drought-resistant and resistant to Dutch elm. Allee is the taller of the two, growing about 30 feet higher than Athena. Both have a spread of about 60 feet, and the University of Massachusetts recommends Athena as a medium-sized shade tree in landscaping.

Ancestral Trees

• A. Ross/Central Park, also called Central Park Splendor, is a cultivar that was originally taken from a 100-year-old tree in Central Park in New York. The University of Connecticut notes the bark isn’t very spectacular and can develop problems as the tree ages, but the tree has a good spread for shade and bright fall color.

Considerations

• Not all elms can withstand very cold temperatures. While some, like A. Ross, thrive in climates with snowy winters like New York, others aren’t so hardy. Drake, for example, is limited to USDA zones 7 and above, according to the University of Connecticut. Caitlin is another not-so-hardy tree; this cultivar is rather short at only 15 feet, and is often trained as a bonsai tree instead. Prairie Shade isn’t as disease-resistant as other varieties.