Lacebark Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
- Tough and durable tree for any situation
- Medium to fast growing
- Multitude of fall colors changes from yellow to reddish purple
- Grows 40' to 50' with 40' spread
- Zones 5 to 9
- Can't ship to: AK, AZ, HI, OR

Zones 5 - 9
The Lacebark Elm can be expected to grow in the zones shown in color in the arborday.org zone map.VIEW MAP

ornamental tree
The Lacebark Elm falls into the following type(s): Ornamental Trees, Shade Trees

40' - 50' High
The Lacebark Elm grows to be 40' - 50' feet in height.

35' - 45' Spread
The Lacebark Elm has a spread of about 35' - 45' at full maturity.

Medium to Fast Growth
This tree grows at a medium to fast growth rate. [More about this.]

Multiple Exposures
This elm does well in full sun, partial shade.

Various Soils
The Lacebark Elm grows in acidic, alkaline, drought tolerant, loamy, moist, sandy, well drained, wet, wide range, clay soils.

Rounded Shape
This elm has rounded, vase shape.

More Info
Attributes:
Considered a handsome and very durable tree, the Lacebark Elm is attractive as a street tree because of its ability to grow in adverse conditions and its relative freedom from the diseases that have ravaged many other Elm species.
Wildlife Value:
The Lacebark Elm provides nesting sites for small animals and birds.
History/Lore/Use:
This landscape standout earned the name Lacebark Elm for its distinctive bark, which is mottled instead of ridged as in other Elms, and often creates colorful patterns in its tree trunk. A native of China, Korea and Japan, the tree was introduced to America in 1794.
Moisture:
This tree has normal moisture requirements, with some flood tolerance and drought resistance.
Leaves:
Leaves are a dark, glossy green and range from 3/4 to 2 inches long and are the smallest of the elms.
Young leaves are hairy beneath and glossy above. Foliage is somewhat leathery at maturity.
Leaves have serrate, rather than doubly serrate, leaf margins. Leaf bases are uneven.
Fall color ranges from yellow to purple and is unusually good when compared to other elms.
Flower Color:
Green, not noteworthy.
Bloom Time:
August-September..
Fruit Description:
The fruit is oval, 1/2 inch long, brown, fairly noticeable.
This graceful tree has a rounded crown adorned with lustrous dark green leaves changing to yellow and reddish purple in fall. Medium to fast-growing, this elm adapts to many soil conditions. Lacebark Elm is a tough and durable tree for any situation. Grows 40' to 50' with 40' spread. (Zones 5-9)
| Spring Shipping | Fall Shipping | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Zone |
Approximate Ship Dates |
Order Deadline |
Approximate Ship Dates |
Order Deadline |
| 2 | 04/15–05/30 | 05/14 | 11/01–11/26 | 11/12 | |
| 3 | 04/15–05/30 | 05/14 | 11/01–11/26 | 11/12 | |
| 4 | 04/15–05/30 | 05/14 | 11/01–11/26 | 11/12 | |
| 5 | 04/15–05/30 | 05/14 | 11/01–11/26 | 11/12 | |
| 6 | 03/19–05/12 | 05/07 | 11/01–12/03 | 11/19 | |
| 7 | 03/11–05/07 | 04/30 | 11/05–12/10 | 11/26 | |
| 8 | 02/26–04/30 | 04/23 | 11/05–12/10 | 11/26 | |
| 9 | 02/26–04/30 | 04/23 | 11/05–12/10 | 11/26 | |
| 10 | 02/26–04/30 | 04/23 | 11/05–12/10 | 11/26 | |
When you order trees from The Arbor Day Foundation, your order is guaranteed to arrive in a good, healthy condition or we'll replace them at no charge. Your trees will be shipped at a suitable time for planting.
Each tree is guaranteed to grow, or we'll replace it at one half the original price, plus shipping and handling.
The benefits of bare-root trees
Our trees are delivered with natural bare roots which have been dipped in hydrating gel prior to shipment to keep the roots moist and healthy. As their abundant, fibrous roots aren't confined by a container, bare-root trees get off to a more vigorous start compared to containerized roots which typically need more time to adjust to transplanting. Bare-root trees typically surpass the size of larger containerized trees in only a few years.


Natural root (also called bare root) trees are shipped without soil around their roots. They are shipped when dormant in the spring and fall seasons. We dip the roots in a hydrating gel to keep them moist during shipping.
Potted (also called containerized) trees come in 4" containers.