Frontier Elm

Given the vigor and tolerance of most elm trees, several new cultivars should be back on our preferred street tree lists. But how do we compare them? New disease and insect resistant varieties seem to be popping up all over. There are so many with different forms, textures, and other qualities, where does one start? One of the best I have seen most recently is the ‘Frontier Elm’ (Ulmus x Frontier). The Frontier Elm appears to be a small to intermediate size tree, maybe reaching 40 ft. and possibly as wide although early growth appears to be narrower. It has small leaves, with a moderately strong central leader and upright, pyramidal growth. Of most interest is its reddish purple fall color, a striking change from the more typical fall yellow color of most elms. In the nursery, this is a fast growing tree with great visual appeal. It is easy to transplant and like most elms, probably drought tolerant.

The literature claims this hybrid elm exhibits a high level of disease tolerance to the fungus that causes Dutch Elm Disease and moderate resistance to the Elm Leaf Beetle in laboratory and field tests. In addition, Frontier Elm appears highly tolerant to natural infections of elm yellows. It was released in 1990. This is an elm cultivar with spring flowering (Ulmus carpinifolia) and fall flowering (Ulmus parvifolia) as parents. So far no seed production has occurred. Maybe it’s confused.

This tree is a sleeper. It has good vigor, tolerates poor soils, grows fast, but does not get big, has small leaves and no seed, resistant of insect and disease problems, with outstanding fall color. The ‘Frontier’ Elm tree should be on everyone’s street tree list.

What has your experience been with this tree or others? Let me know at jimb-ufsinc@wavecable.com or (360) 428-5810.