Native Princeton American Elm

Princeton Elm brings us back to the days when gas was 17 cents a gallon and streets were shaded by the arching canopies of magnificent American Elm trees. Though Dutch Elm Disease brought down many of those noble old trees, a few proved to be resistant, and Princeton Elm is one. This fast-growing, all-American classic can line your street in style once more, or you can plant it in the backyard to shade a picnic table, horseshoe pit, badminton net, or hammock, and you and your family can rediscover together those simple pleasures of days gone by.

The Princeton Nursery was founded in Kingston New Jersey by William Flemer Sr. in 1913. After years of searching for a new site to grow his business, Flemer chose Kingston for its nutrient rich soil and location which was halfway between New York and Philadelphia. Flemer continued to buy land and property to provide housing for his many employees. At its peak the nursery grew to 1200 acres and was the largest commercial nursery in the United States. Through the Great Depression the nursery survived by growing farm crops and using German prisoners of war for labor. William Flemer III, specialized in breeding and introduced many new varieties of shade and ornamental trees. The nursery was granted dozens of patents including the disease resistant Princeton Elm. The nursery closed in 2010 but more than 240 acres of the nursery have been preserved along with 25 historic structures. Here you can still find many of the beautiful trees introduced and planted by the Flemer family.

Now if the folks at Princeton were smart (and I'm assuming they are) they would have tons of these Elms planted all over the campus. Princeton American Elm is the ultimate in shade trees! This fast-growing, iconic tree has an upright, vase-shape with great resistance to Dutch Elm disease. Dark green leathery foliage changes to yellow in fall. An excellent street or lawn tree.

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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