Lacebark Elm

Ulmus parvifolia

Ulmaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated May 11, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

40–50 ft

Spread

59 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Adaptable

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zone Zones 5a–8b

Bloom Time

August to September

Fall Color

Red, yellow

Origin

northern and central China, Japan, and Korea

Dutch Elm DiseaseHigh

Spring Beetle Emergence and Feeding

Nectria CankerHigh

Spore Release (Fall & Spring Rains)

Oystershell scaleHigh

Crawler Emergence

AphidModerate

Spring Colonization

+ 2 more — see full disease and pest lists below

Phenological Calendar

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	Aug 1-Aug 31	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Aug 15-Sep 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Mar 15-May 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: brown
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Diseases: Regionally Documented (4)

Neonectria ditissima Nectria Canker Ophiostoma novo-ulmi Dutch Elm Disease Multiple bacterial species, including Enterobacter cloaca... Bacterial Wetwood Slime Flux Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacterial Wetwood

Pests: Regionally Documented (9)

Aphidoidea Aphid Scolytinae Bark beetle Nymphalis antiopa Spiny elm caterpillar Gossyparia spuria European elm scale Fenusa ulmi Elm leafminer Xanthogaleruca luteola Elm leaf beetle Prionoxystus robiniae Carpenterworm Hyphantria cunea Fall webworm Lepidosaphes ulmi Oystershell scale

Cultivars (6)

'Allee'

Common name: Allee Lacebark Elm; Mature height: 50 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Bosque'

Common name: Bosque Lacebark Elm; Mature height: 40–50 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 6

'Frosty'

Common name: Frosty Lacebark ElmFrosty Chinese Elm Variegated Lacebark ElmVariegated Chinese Elm; Mature height: 8 ft

'Hakkaido'

Common name: Hakkaido Lacebark Elm Hakkaido Chinese Elm Princess Elm; Mature height: 1 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

'Seiju'

Common name: Seiju Dwarf Elm Seiju Lacebark Elm Seiju Chinese Elm; Mature height: 2–10 ft

Hardy to USDA Zone 4

'Frontier'

Hybrid (Ulmus minor × U. parvifolia); good fall color; DED resistant

Hardy to USDA Zone 5

Data Maturity

Structured Multiple sources. Expert review underway.