Why Plant Allee® Lacebark Elm?
Allée® Chinese Elm is a majestic, fast-growing shade tree that you should seriously consider planting if you have the room. This isn’t the junky Siberian Elm tree that some bargain-basement nurseries sell as "Chinese Elm," but the quality tree also known as “Lacebark Elm.” Allée® is a regal tree with lofty, arching branches and a beautiful fluted trunk. It’s as tough as it is handsome, coping well with city conditions when planted in the urban landscape. Use it to line your street or driveway (as in an “allée") or to shade your deck or patio. As a bonus, Allée® Elm leaves are small, making fall clean-up a breeze!
Chinese Elm can be found in the wild in China, Japan, and Korea. It has long been a favored species for bonsai. Westerners took an early liking to the plant, and Europeans have been growing it in their gardens since before the 18th Century. Allée® (pronounced al-LAY) originated on the campus of the University of Georgia. Tree expert Michael Dirr was teaching there, noticed the 70-year-old tree, and knew that with its majestic vase shape and jigsaw-puzzle bark, it would be a hit. He introduced it in 1989.
How to use Allee® Lacebark Elm in the landscape?
Allee Lacebark Elm is truly a one-of-a-kind specimen. Although not the traditional American Elm, this outstanding tree deserves a chance to be used as its substitute. Rich green leaves, fine branching, high resistance to Dutch Elm disease and Elm beetles make it an exceptional choice to provide shade in your lawn. Best of all is the decorative, puzzle-like pattern that develops on the trunk and branches, displaying patches of grays, greens, and oranges.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
How To Plant Allee® Lacebark Elm
Lacebark Elms grow to be large trees with the most excellent exfoliating bark we have ever seen! This fast-grower is the best cultivar of all Elms because of its nice fall color, nice growth habit, that excellent exfoliating bark, and a good track record of disease resistance. Lacebark Elms do well in a range of soil conditions as long as they are moist and well-drained. They like to be planted in full sun and have a high level of drought tolerance as well. Lacebark Elms are not difficult to maintain at all. Lacebark Elms may have the occasional visit from Japanese Beetles, but they aren’t a major concern. The Lacebark Elm also develops some surface roots over time, meaning that planting directly under the tree is probably not going to happen very successfully. But the surface roots do have that same excellent exfoliating bark as the rest of the tree.
How To Water
They require keeping the soil moist (not too wet) after initial planting. Once established, they are more tolerant of drought conditions, reducing your hand-watering responsibilities.
How To Fertilize
For the first 3 years or so, give your Elm Bower & Branch Elements Fertilizer, preferably once in the fall. This helps your tree produce healthy new growth for the following growing season.
How To Prune
Pruning your Lacebark Elm is best done in the late winter to early spring. Remove of any dead or diseases branches to pave the way for heathy growths.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
