Description

• Chinese elms are deciduous trees with shiny, dark green leaves that turn orange, red, purple and gold in autumn. The bark of mature trees exfoliates to reveal an attractive pattern of gray, green, orange, tan and red-brown. Chinese elms have a moderate-to-rapid growth rate and can reach a height of 50 feet. Although it's classified as a deciduous tree, it can be almost evergreen when growing in mild climates.
  
  

Uses

• Chinese elm trees are used to landscape parking lot islands, highway median strips and residential streets. They also make good shade trees and windbreaks. Chinese elms are grown as bonsais and, according to the Kansas Forest Service, the tree is a good firewood species that produces a moderate amount of heat.
  
  

Diseases

• Chinese elm is resistant to Dutch elm disease and elm yellows. However, it's susceptible to anthracnose, powdery mildew and trunk cankers. Anthracnose can be identified by small yellow spots on the top surface of the leaves. As the disease progresses, the spots spread and entire leaves become blighted and fall off the tree. Remove fallen leaves before winter and use preventive fungicides in the spring. Powdery mildew appears as a grayish-white powder that covers the leaves and causes them to turn yellow and drop. Prune diseased leaves and avoid overhead watering. Trunk cankers form when trees are injured. Remove diseased and dead branches and avoid wounds to the bark.
  
  

Pests

• Chinese elms are susceptible to being attacked by several beetles, including the elm borer, the dogwood twig borer and the elm leaf beetle. Borers leave small holes and sawdust in the branches or trunk. The elm leaf beetle feeds on leaves, skeletonizing them. Insecticides are available to help control beetles, since natural enemies don't usually reduce their numbers sufficiently. Microscopic worm-like insects called eriophyid mites may also attack Chinese elms. Symptoms of infestation include distorted leaves. Prune infested twigs and use dormant oils or miticides to help control pests. Several species of scale can also be a problem. Look for bumps on the twigs and use smothering oil sprays to control them.