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About Your New Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd', the Chinese Elm, is one of the most adaptable and reliable shade trees available for Australian gardens. The glossy dark green foliage forms a dense rounded canopy, while the highly ornamental mottled bark flakes in patches to reveal cream, grey, orange and brown tones for genuine year-round interest.

Chinese Elm 'Todd' grows to 8-12 metres tall and 6-9 metres wide. The dense canopy, tidy form, and excellent response to pruning make it equally suited to use as a feature shade tree, a street tree, or a clipped tall hedge, performing well in both residential gardens and urban streetscapes.

Chinese Elm is highly adaptable and thrives across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, drought, urban pollution, and a wide range of soils once established. It is semi-deciduous, holding much of its foliage year-round in warm climates and dropping leaves after a brief golden display in cooler regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm

How tall does Chinese Elm 'Todd' grow?

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' grows to 8-12 metres tall and 6-9 metres wide with a dense rounded canopy.

How fast does Chinese Elm grow?

Chinese Elm is moderately fast-growing, adding 50-80cm per year once established.

Is Chinese Elm 'Todd' evergreen or deciduous?

Chinese Elm is semi-deciduous. In warmer climates it holds much of its foliage year-round, while in cooler regions it drops its leaves in winter after a brief golden autumn display.

What does the bark of Chinese Elm look like?

Chinese Elm has highly ornamental mottled bark that flakes in patches to reveal cream, grey, orange and brown tones, providing year-round visual interest.

Is Chinese Elm suitable for hedging?

Yes. Chinese Elm responds well to pruning and can be maintained as a tall hedge or screen, as well as grown as a feature shade tree.

Where does Chinese Elm grow best in Australia?

Chinese Elm is highly adaptable and thrives across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, drought, and a wide range of soils once established.

How far apart should I plant Chinese Elm?

Plant 4-6 metres apart for a shade avenue, or 1.5-2 metres for a hedge or screen.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Features and Benefits

Organically certified product
Improves aeration for roots
A rich blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, Gypsum, composted coarse bark and wetting agent
Excellent to mix with heavy clay soils, an organic mixture with added gypsum which is perfect for exotic plants
Revitalises tired soils, adds nutrient and organic matter, no chemical additives, weed free
Assists in retaining moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering

Directions For Use

Water plant well at least several hours prior to planting.
Dig a hole at least twice the width of the pot and 7cm deeper than the pot.
Mix Grow Better Enriched Planting Mix with the soil that has been dug out of the hole, adding about 1/3 planting mix.
Spread a 7cm layer of improved soil in the hole and remove plant from the pot. Tease roots gently if the root ball is very firm and place plant in the planting hole. Check that pot soil is level with the surrounding soil surface level, not higher or lower.
Fill in the hole with improved soil mixture, firm down soil and water well adding Grow Better Plant Starter to final watering.

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Type:

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Avenue Planting
Street Tree
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm works in an:

Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm Evergreen or Deciduous?

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm is an Semi Deciduous Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m - 12m Approximately

Mature Width: Up to 9 m

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 80 cm/year (Moderate to Fast).

Growth Rate of Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 80 cm/year (Moderate to Fast).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm

Is Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm frost tolerant?

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm Flower?

Ulmus parvifolia ‘Todd’ does not produce ornamental flowers. Its small, inconspicuous blooms appear in late summer to autumn and are quickly followed by papery winged seeds. This cultivar is valued for its refined vase-shaped form, attractive mottled bark and glossy mid-green foliage rather than its flowering display.

Does Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm an Australian Native Tree?

No

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm is Native to Derived from Ulmus parvifolia, native to China, Korea, and Japan. ‘Todd’ is a selected cultivar valued for its narrow, upright growth habit and reliable performance in urban landscapes.

What is the Wildlife Value of Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm ?

Its dense canopy and fine branching provide excellent shelter and roosting spaces for small birds, while the foliage supports a range of beneficial insects that contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem. This makes Ulmus parvifolia ‘Todd’ a strong biodiversity-supporting choice for larger gardens and landscapes.

How much Sunlight does Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm need?

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Ulmus parvifolia ‘Todd’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate sandy soils if enriched with organic matter to support moisture retention and long-term vigour. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged ground unless significantly improved, as these conditions can restrict root development and reduce canopy health. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures.

Is Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm Drought Tolerant?

Is Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular deep watering to establish fully. Once established, Ulmus parvifolia ‘Todd’ shows strong drought tolerance, maintaining its canopy structure and foliage quality during warm, dry periods when planted in well-drained soil. It performs reliably with only occasional supplementary watering during extended heat.

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How To Plant Your Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm is expected to grow Approx. 50 – 80 cm/year (Moderate to Fast).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' Chinese Elm in Different Soil

Ulmus parvifolia performs best in free-draining loam or sandy loam with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is sharp.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch lightly to moderate surface temperature.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and coarse organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline preferred. Avoid waterlogging at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Ulmus parvifolia 'Todd' suitable for urban landscapes?
A: Yes, it thrives in urban environments due to its tolerance of pollution and various soil types.

Q: Does this tree require much maintenance?
A: No, it's considered low-maintenance and only requires occasional pruning.

Q: What makes ‘Todd’ different from other Chinese Elm cultivars?
A: ‘Todd’ has a more upright, rounded form and is particularly noted for its attractive bark and glossy foliage.