'Drake' Elm

Drake Elm (Ulmus parvifolia 'Drake')

'Drake' is a Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) cultivar widely planted in the southern United States, particularly in California, Texas, the Gulf states, and Florida. It is distinguished from other Chinese elm cultivars by its distinctly weeping or cascading form and is among the most commonly planted resistant elms in warm-climate landscapes.

Origin

'Drake' originated in California in the mid-20th century; the precise breeder and introduction date are not consistently documented in the horticultural literature, with sources placing the cultivar's origin variously in the 1950s and 1960s. The cultivar has been continuously available through California and southern US nursery networks for several decades.

Like all Ulmus parvifolia selections, 'Drake' inherits the natural DED resistance characteristic of the species.

Identification

Form: Distinctly weeping or cascading — branches arch outward and droop, producing an umbrella-like silhouette at maturity

Mature size: 30–40 feet tall, 30–50 foot crown spread

Leaves: Small (1–2 inches), oval, single-serrated, dark glossy green; semi-evergreen to evergreen in mild climates

Bark: Mottled exfoliating lacebark in patches of gray, green, orange, and brown

Fall color: Yellow to reddish in cooler climates; muted or absent in warm climates where leaves persist

Growth rate: Fast

Hardiness and adaptability

USDA hardiness zones: 6–10

Site preferences: Strongly preferred warm-climate sites; tolerates drought, heat, and a wide pH range

Stress tolerance: Among the most heat- and drought-tolerant elm cultivars; well-adapted to coastal and Mediterranean climates

Dutch Elm Disease resistance

'Drake' demonstrates high natural DED resistance characteristic of Chinese elm. The cultivar has been planted in DED-affected regions for decades with minimal recorded DED mortality.

The cultivar is also resistant to elm yellows phytoplasma.

Landscape uses

Street trees in southern US cities — particularly in California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida

Park and residential plantings in warm climates

Specimen plantings where the weeping form is featured

Plantings around pools and water features (the cascading form fits these contexts well)

Limitations

Cold-hardiness limited to zone 6 minimum; not suitable for northern US plantings

Weeping form is distinctly different from classic upright elm silhouettes; not appropriate where a traditional canopy is desired

Litter from heavy seed production in fall

Sometimes confused at retail with Siberian elm (U. pumila); verify cultivar identity using the mottled exfoliating bark, which Siberian elm lacks

Similar cultivars

Allee® — vase-shaped Chinese elm for larger sites

Athena® — rounded compact Chinese elm

'Sempervirens' — semi-evergreen Chinese elm cultivar for southernmost zones

Related pages

What Cultivars Are Resistant to Dutch Elm Disease?

Disease-Resistant Varieties Guide

Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

References

Ware, G. H. (1995). "Little-known elms from China: landscape tree possibilities." Journal of Arboriculture, 21(6), 284–288.

Dirr, M. A. (2009). Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (6th ed.). Stipes Publishing.

Santamour, F. S., & Bentz, S. E. (1995). "Updated checklist of elm (Ulmus) cultivars for use in North America." Journal of Arboriculture, 21(3), 122–131.