Ulmus procera - English Elm - Evergreen Trees Direct

English Elm - Ulmus procera 40cm Evergreen Trees Direct

Ulmus procera - English Elm

$290.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 50cm/75L 100L 300L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: 2.0m – 3.0m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 20m to 30m (approx.)

Mature Width: 11m

Ulmus procera - English Elm is expected to grow 70cm to 100cm per year (fast) (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Contact

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Ulmus procera - English Elm

Ulmus procera, the English Elm, is a large deciduous tree with a broad rounded crown and a heavy upright trunk. Dark green serrated leaves turn clear yellow in autumn. Clusters of small reddish flowers open on bare wood in late winter and early spring, well ahead of the new foliage.

It grows fast, around 70 to 100 centimetres a year, to 16 metres tall and 11 metres wide. Full sun to part shade and any drained soil will do, including moderate clay. It is fully frost hardy in cool temperate districts and moderately drought tolerant once its roots are down.

This is a tree for parks, school and institutional grounds, heritage streetscapes and broad avenues where there is genuine room for it. It suckers freely from the roots, so keep it well away from paving and garden beds and hold the surrounding ground under mown lawn or mulch.

Frequently Asked Questions

About English Elm

What is an English Elm?

Ulmus procera is a large deciduous tree with a broad rounded crown, dark green serrated leaves and clear yellow autumn colour. It has been planted in Australian parks and avenues since the colonial period, and many of the country's oldest elm avenues are this species. It is fast growing and long lived.

How big does an English Elm grow?

Around 16 metres tall and 11 metres wide at maturity, so it is a tree for open ground rather than a courtyard. Old specimens in parks can exceed that. Allow a clear radius of at least 6 metres and keep it well away from buildings, paving and underground services.

How fast does an English Elm grow?

Fast, roughly 70 to 100 centimetres a year while young, given reasonable soil and water. It slows once the crown begins to broaden. That speed is why it was chosen for avenue work historically, and why it still suits large sites that need real canopy cover within a decade.

Does an English Elm have invasive roots?

It suckers freely from surface roots, more so than most trees of its size, and those suckers will come up through lawn and garden beds several metres out from the trunk. Keep it well clear of paving, footings and drains, and plan on mowing or mulching the root zone to manage them.

When does an English Elm flower?

Small reddish flower clusters open on bare branches in late winter and early spring, generally August into September, before the leaves appear. They are easy to miss from the ground, and flat papery seeds follow soon afterwards. Nobody plants this tree for the flowers; the autumn colour is the display.

Is an English Elm frost tolerant?

Very. It is fully hardy through the coldest parts of temperate Australia, including Tasmania, the Victorian high country, Canberra and the New South Wales tablelands. It is leafless and dormant when hard frosts arrive. It also stands up to wind and moderate drought once the root system is properly established.

How do I care for an English Elm?

Water it well for the first two or three summers, after which it largely looks after itself. Prune structurally in late winter to build a strong leader and even branch spacing. Remove root suckers as they appear, either by mowing them off or by cutting them flush below ground level.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

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 procera - English Elm works in an:

Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.
Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Ulmus procera - English Elm Evergreen or Deciduous?

Ulmus procera - English Elm is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 20m to 30m (approx.)

Mature Width: 11m

Ulmus procera - English Elm is expected to grow 70cm to 100cm per year (fast) (approx.).

Growth Rate of Ulmus procera - English Elm

Ulmus procera - English Elm is expected to grow 70cm to 100cm per year (fast) (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Ulmus procera - English Elm

Is Ulmus procera - English Elm frost tolerant?

Ulmus procera - English Elm is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Ulmus procera - English Elm Flower?

Ulmus procera does not produce ornamental flowers. Its small, inconspicuous spring blooms are followed by papery winged seeds, and the tree is instead valued for its classic vase-shaped structure, textured bark and lush green summer canopy.

Does Ulmus procera - English Elm flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Winter
Spring

Flower Type:

Not Applicable

Flower Colour:

Not Applicable

Is Ulmus procera - English Elm an Australian Native Tree?

No

Ulmus procera - English Elm is Native to Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, where it has long been a dominant landscape and street tree.

What is the Wildlife Value of Ulmus procera - English Elm ?

Its broad canopy and dense branching provide excellent shelter, roosting sites and protection for small birds, while the foliage supports a wide range of beneficial insects. These insects form an important part of the local food web, making English Elm a strong contributor to biodiversity in larger gardens and open landscapes.

How much Sunlight does Ulmus procera - English Elm need?

Ulmus procera - English Elm will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Ulmus procera performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate lighter sandy soils when enriched with organic matter to support moisture retention and overall vigour. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions unless significantly improved, as these 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 procera - English Elm Drought Tolerant?

Is Ulmus procera - English Elm Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular deep watering to establish properly. Once established, Ulmus procera develops moderate drought tolerance, maintaining its large canopy and vigorous growth through dry periods when planted in well-drained soil, though it benefits from supplementary watering during extended heat waves.

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How To Plant Your Ulmus procera - English 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 procera - English 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 procera - English Elm is expected to grow 70cm to 100cm per year (fast) (approx.).

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Ulmus procera - English 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 procera - English Elm in Different Soil

Ulmus procera 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: Why choose Ulmus procera over Gleditsia or Claret Ash?
A: English Elm provides a denser canopy and more traditional shape. Its mature size and historical presence suit formal landscapes and heritage zones.

Q: Is it suitable for narrow streets or confined planting sites?
A: No. English Elm is best used in open settings where its full canopy and root zone can develop without restriction.

Q: How does it perform in Australian conditions?
A: It is well adapted to South Eastern Australia, performing strongly in varied urban and rural conditions, particularly as a legacy or boulevard tree.