Page 69 - Free State Winter 2022 - Website Version

GROWING WITH EDUCATION (Continued) part shade and once established is very drought tolerant. It
was originally brought to the states for it resistance to Dutch
any damage. Insect pests include mealybugs, scale and vine
weevils and disease pests include needle blights, root rot (in Elms Disease, it fast growth potential and its ability to grow in
heavy soils) and twig blights. The English Yew is a wonderful poor soils. The upper side of the nearly double serrated leaves
dark evergreen, suitable for screens and hedges, also handles are dark green while the underside are lighter and slightly
pruning very well and is an excellent candidate for topiary. fuzzy. Unlike many Elms, the Siberian Elm has an almost even
symmetry with the lower half of their leaves on either side of
Ulmus parvifolia – Lacebark Elm or Chinese Elm is a deciduous the midrib. Early spring before the leaves emerge the green
tree that is from China, Korea and Japan. The Champion and red flower bloom and mature into rounded winged
Ulmus parvifolia can be found beside the Severn building on samaras with one seed in each samara. Summer brings the
the UMD campus. The Lacebark Elm is cold hardy in USDA bright green leaves and autumn showcases the shiny red
zones 4-9 and thrives in full sun or light shade and prefers rich, tipped black buds for the next spring. The fast and brittle
moist well-drained loams. Once established the Lacebark growth became more of a problem when the strong winds,
Elm is tolerant of both wet and dry sites, urban pollution and and winters ice and snow cause large branches fall. There
slightly salt tolerant. The trees are considered medium to were 2 co-national champions when Dr. Dirr wrote the 6th
large trees, growing 40-50 feet tall and wide with a rounded edition of the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, one that
crown and long arching branches. The leaves are arranged was 86 x 128 feet in Londonderry, OK and the other 85 x 99
alternately on stems that grow towards each leaf, creating feet in Grand Junction, CO. There are no National Champion
a zigzag pattern. Dark green serrated leaves are ¾ to 2 ½ Ulmus pumila found in the National Register of Champion
inches long and 1/3 to 1 1/3 wide with an unequal base and Trees. Besides the brittle nature of the branches, the Siberian
a sharp tip. The underside is lightly furred when the leaves Elm is well known for the leaves being devoured by the elm
are young and almost leathery when they mature and the leaf beetles, leaving the tree with brown-laced leaves by
veins are parallel to the mid-rib. In the autumn the leaves can the beginning of September. Other pests include borers,
change to yellow or reddish purple. The tiny reddish green caterpillars, mealy bugs, sawflies and scale. Diseases include
flowers of the Lacebark Elm bloom late in the summer into fall, Dutch elm disease and phloem necrosis, cankers, rots and
and are hidden by the lush foliage. The flowers mature into various wilts. The Siberian Elm creates large numbers of seeds
light brown seeds that are individually wrapped into papery each year and the tree is listed as an invasive in many states
winged samara that is viable in the late fall. The beautiful including Maryland.
Aesculus pavia exfoliating bark is this plants trademark with bark flaking off
to reveal vaiable patches of brown, cinnamon, cream, gray, Whether a tree is a native or a non-native, they give back
green, olive and orange. There are no National Champion so much to the environment and are especially important
Ulmus parvifolia found in the National Register of Champion with the climate changes that are occurring so quickly. Trees
Trees. There are a large number of cultivars that provide take in carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and filter out many
beautiful bark, lovely leaves and silhouettes. Allée is just one of air pollutants. They provide cooling shade locally and store
many that are beautiful trees with dark green leaves, beautiful carbon dioxide to help cool the earth. They help hold the
branching and excellent resistance to Dutch Elm Disease soil in place and filter pollutants in the water, reducing both
and the Elm leaf beetle. Some have red or other fall colors, excessive nutrients and pollutants from entering into our
some have variegated white and green foliage, some have streams, lakes and bays. Trees are also a wonderful source
weeping branches, some are fastigiated or very columnar of food and shelter for many of our native birds and animals.
and some are very small. Pests include an occasional problem Trees are also found to be important for human health,
with cankers, leaf spots, phloem necrosis, root rots and wilts. reducing violence in troubled neighborhoods and providing
What they do have is strong resistance to Dutch Elms disease, calming and healing environments. There are so many good
Japanese Beetles, Elm Beetles and leaf scorch. Because of reasons to plant a tree, you just need to find the right tree for
the number of seeds the plants can make each year, it is not the right space! A
appropriate to plant the Lacebark Elm in natural areas due to
the potential of the seedling becoming invasive. It could make Ginny Rosenkranz
an interesting shade tree in urban settings. Extension Educator, Commercial
Horticulture, University of Maryland
Ulmus pumila – Siberian Elm is a large deciduous tree 50-70 Extension, Dorchester, Sommerset,
feet tall and 40-50 feet wide with a vase shaped rounded Wicomico and Worchester County
crown. The Champion Ulmus pumila can be found by the 410 749-6141 x106
Ulmus pumila
South Gate entrance into the UMD campus. The Siberian rosnkrnz@umd.edu
Elm is cold hardy in USDA zones 4-9, and thrives in full sun to
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