Patriot Elm

Height: 45–55 ft

Spread: 30–40 ft

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–9

Fall Color: Bright yellow; sometimes golden yellow.

Soil Type: Prefers moist, well‑drained loam. Tolerates clay, sand, urban fill, and compacted soils. Performs well in slightly acidic to alkaline soils. Avoid prolonged standing water but tolerates occasional wetness.

Exposure Type: Full sun. Tolerates partial sun but develops best form in full exposure.

Category:

Description

Ulmus ‘Patriot’ / Patriot Elm

Planting Points: Bred for excellent Dutch Elm Disease (DED) resistance. Upright to vase‑shaped canopy with strong central leader. More compact and uniform than many American elm selections. Very tolerant of drought, heat, pollution, salt, and urban conditions. Moderate to fast growth rate once established. Resistant to elm leaf beetles and highly tolerant of other elm pests. Bark becomes attractive with mottled, exfoliating character as the tree matures. Requires little pruning, prune during late fall or winter only. Excellent for high‑stress sites due to hybrid vigor.

Siting This Tree: Excellent street tree for boulevards, medians, and high‑traffic urban corridors. Works well in commercial landscapes, campuses, and parks. Good for residential yards where a medium-large, tough shade tree is desired. Suitable for sites with poor soils, compacted ground, or exposure to road salt. Avoid chronically wet sites or heavy, waterlogged clay.