Ulmus parvifolia

Ulmus parvifolia, commonly known as the Chinese elm or lacebark elm, is a species native to eastern Asia, including mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, South Korea and Vietnam. It has been described as “one of the most splendid elms, having the poise of a graceful Nothofagus“.

The tree was introduced to the UK in 1794 by James Main, who collected in China for Gilbert Slater of Low Layton, Essex.

Description

A small to medium deciduous, semi-deciduous (rarely semi-evergreen) tree growing to 10-18 m (33-59 ft) tall and 15-20 m (49-66 ft) wide with a slender trunk and crown. The single-toothed, leathery green, single-toothed leaves measure 2-5 cm in length by 1-3cm in width and are often kept as late as January in North America and Europe. Apetalous wind-pollinated perfect blooms are small and discreetly produced in the early autumn. The fruit is an elliptic or ovate elliptic samara measuring 10-13 mm in length and 6-8 mm in width. The samara is mostly glabrous, the seed at the centre or toward the apex, borne on a stalk 1-3 mm in length; it matures rapidly and disperses by late autumn. The trunk is a handsome flaking bark with mottled greys and tans, which gives rise to the common name of the lacebark-elm. However, scarring from major branch losses can cause large canker-like wounds. Ploidy: 2n = 28.

Many nurserymen and foresters mistakenly refer to Ulmus pumila, the rapidly growing, disease-ridden, relatively short-lived, weak-wooded Siberian elm, as “Chinese elm.” This has given the true Chinese elm an undeserved bad reputation. The two elms are very distinct and different species. Among other obvious differences, with age the Siberian elm’s bark becomes deeply ridged and furrowed, and possesses a very rough, greyish-black appearance, while the Chinese elm’s smooth bark becomes flaky and blotchy, exposing very distinctive, light-coloured mottling, hence the synonym lacebark elm for the real Chinese elm.

Cultivation

The Chinese elm is a tough landscape tree, hardy enough for use in harsh planting situations such as parking lots, in small planters along streets and in plazas or patios. This tree is the most common of all elms and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. It was introduced to Europe in the late 18th century and used as an ornamental. It was introduced to America in 1794 and has been very popular as a replacement for American Elms that have succumbed to Dutch elm diseases. The tree was distributed in Victoria, Australia, from 1857. At the beginning of the 20th century it was marketed by Searl’s Garden Emporium, Sydney.^{[citation needed]} In New Zealand, it was found to be particularly suitable for windswept locations along the coast. The tree is commonly planted as an ornamental in Japan, notably around Osaka Castle.

Ulmus Parvifolia is the most cold-hardy of all the Chinese species. In artificial freezing tests at the Morton Arboretum. The temp. The temperature at which 50% of tissues will die was found to be between -34 and -29 degrees Celsius (-29 degrees F).

Bonsai

Owing to its versatility and ability to tolerate a wide range of temperatures, light, and humidity conditions, Chinese elm is a popular choice as a bonsai species, and is perhaps the single most widely available. Because of its tolerance to pruning, it is a great choice for beginners.

Taxonomy

Subspecies, varieties, and forms: