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Frontier elm

Ulmus 'Frontier'

Common names:
Frontier elm

Content Detail

The Frontier elm has good resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED) and elm yellows and moderate resistance to elm leaf beetle. This hardy, tolerant tree is a good choice for residential landscapes and along city streets.

  • Family (English) Elm
  • Family (botanic) Ulmaceae
  • Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks, Restricted sites, Wide median
  • Tree or plant type Tree
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Medium tree (25-40 feet), Large tree (more than 40 feet)
  • Mature height 30-40 feet
  • Mature width 20-30 feet
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought, Road salt, Wet sites
  • Season of interest early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
  • Shape or form Narrow, Pyramidal, Upright
  • Growth rate Slow
  • Transplants well Yes
  • Wildlife Migrant birds
  • Has cultivars NA

Native geographic location and habitat:

This tree is of hybrid origin.

Bark color and texture:

Its bark is relatively smooth, gray-green in color and marked with orange lenticels.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Leaves are alternate with toothed edges.  They are shiny dark green in summer and its fall color is purplish red.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

This tree seldom flowers.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

It seldom produces fruit, but when it does the seed is enclosed in a flat, circular wing.

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