- Mature height
- 10m to 15m (approx.)
- Mature width
- 12m to 15m
Ulmus glabra 'Lutescens', the Golden Elm, is a deciduous tree grown for foliage colour rather than flowers. The leaves open butter yellow in spring, hold a gold to lime tone through summer and finish yellow in autumn. The crown is broad and rounded on a short trunk, giving a solid, low domed outline.
It grows fast, roughly 60 to 90 centimetres a year, in full sun to part shade. Deep soil with steady moisture gives the best colour, and hot dry wind can scorch the foliage, so shelter it inland. Cool temperate and temperate climates suit it. Frost is no problem and established trees handle dry spells.
Mature size is 10 to 15 metres tall and 12 to 15 metres wide, so the canopy finishes broader than the tree is high. That spread makes it a lawn specimen, a park tree or shade over a long driveway. One tree can carry a whole garden, which is why so many landscapes are built around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Golden Elm
What is a Golden Elm?
Ulmus glabra 'Lutescens' is a deciduous tree grown for foliage colour rather than flowers. The leaves open butter yellow in spring, hold a gold to lime tone through summer and finish yellow in autumn. The crown is broad and rounded on a short trunk, which gives it a solid, low domed outline.
How big does a Golden Elm grow?
Mature size is 10 to 15 metres tall and 12 to 15 metres wide, so the canopy is broader than the tree is high. Allow at least 8 metres of clear space around it. This is a tree with real presence, and it needs the room to show the shape it is grown for.
How fast does a Golden Elm grow?
It is fast, around 60 to 90 centimetres a year in deep soil with reliable moisture. Advanced trees establish quickly and put on canopy within a few seasons. Growth is slower in shallow or dry ground, and heat stressed trees hold less colour, so preparing the planting hole properly is worth the effort.
Does a Golden Elm need full sun?
Full sun to part shade both work, but the golden colour is strongest in full sun. In hot inland districts some afternoon shade and shelter from dry wind prevent the foliage scorching and browning at the edges. In cool temperate gardens it takes sun all day without any trouble at all.
Is it deciduous?
Yes. Golden Elm drops its leaves through autumn and stands bare over winter, then leafs out in a strong gold flush in spring. Insignificant flowers appear on the bare wood in early spring ahead of the foliage. The bare winter period lets sun through to whatever is planted or built beneath it.
Does the Golden Elm have invasive roots?
The root system is wide and largely shallow, and it will lift paving and compete with nearby garden beds. Keep it at least 8 to 10 metres from house slabs, drains and driveways. It can also sucker from the roots, particularly if they are damaged, so avoid cultivating under the canopy.
How do I care for a Golden Elm?
Water deeply through the first two or three summers and keep a wide ring of mulch, since the surface roots dislike turf competition. Prune in late winter to build a strong framework and remove narrow forks while they are small. Watch for elm leaf beetle from late spring and treat if damage builds.