Ulmus americana 'Princeton' (American Elm)

Ulmus americana 'Princeton' is a cultivar of American elm, a large, upright, deciduous tree found across much of the country. The 'Princeton' cultivar is specifically noted for its better than average resistance to Dutch Elm Disease, a fungal blight disease spread among elm trees by small bark beetles. American elm is a fast-growing tree, which typically matures to 60-80' tall (occasionally taller) with a canopy 30-50' wide, and produces toothed, ovate leaves and rounded, papery samaras (winged seed cases) that it uses to reproduce. Blooming in the spring, Ulmus americana flowers are small, and multicolored with yellow and red colors; though not necessarily showy due to the typical size of an elm tree.

American elm works wonderfully as a yard, specimen, or shade tree, and is a keystone plant through much of its range, acting as host to a variety of insect residents, including butterfly larvae and many varieties of beetle, as well as providing a home and food to wildlife and birds. And though American elms are already a valuable addition to the landscape, Ulmus americana 'Princeton' makes for an even better addition to the yard or in a larger restoration project thanks to its increased disease resistance, and its attractive golden yellow fall foliage makes it quite an ornamental selection to boot.