What Cultivars Are Resistant to Dutch Elm Disease?

Several elm cultivars have been developed with resistance to Dutch Elm Disease through selective breeding programs. These varieties offer hope for restoring elm populations in landscapes devastated by the disease.

American Elm Hybrids

'Valley Forge'

Parentage: American elm × Chinese elm hybrid

Resistance: High resistance to Dutch Elm Disease

Characteristics: Classic American elm vase shape, 50-60 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 5-9

Released: 1995 by U.S. National Arboretum

'New Harmony'

Parentage: American elm × Chinese elm hybrid

Resistance: Excellent Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Upright oval form, 50-60 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9

Released: 2007 by U.S. National Arboretum

'Princeton'

Parentage: Selected American elm survivor

Resistance: Good resistance to Dutch Elm Disease

Characteristics: Classic vase shape, 60-70 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9

Released: 1922, but resistance discovered later

'Jefferson'

Parentage: American elm × Chinese elm hybrid

Resistance: High Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Narrow upright form, 50-70 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-9

Released: 2004 by U.S. National Arboretum

Asian Species and Hybrids

'Emer I' (Athena®)

Parentage: Japanese elm × Siberian elm hybrid

Resistance: Excellent Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Rounded crown, 40-50 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9

Released: University of Wisconsin program

'Emer II' (Allee®)

Parentage: Japanese elm × Siberian elm hybrid

Resistance: High Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Vase-shaped, 60-70 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-7

Released: University of Wisconsin program

'Morton' (Accolade™)

Parentage: Japanese elm × Wilson's elm hybrid

Resistance: Excellent Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Upright oval, 50-60 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-7

Released: Morton Arboretum

'Morton Glossy' (Triumph™)

Parentage: Complex hybrid including Asian species

Resistance: High Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Upright oval, 50-55 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-7

Released: Morton Arboretum

European Resistant Cultivars

'Sapporo Autumn Gold'

Parentage: Japanese elm selection

Resistance: Good Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Rounded crown, excellent fall color

Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9

Origin: Selected in Japan, widely planted

'Groeneveld'

Parentage: European field elm selection

Resistance: Moderate Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Compact, 30-40 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 5-8

Origin: Netherlands breeding program

'Columella'

Parentage: European field elm selection

Resistance: Good Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Narrow columnar form, 40-50 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 5-8

Origin: Netherlands breeding program

Newer Releases

'StPaul'

Parentage: American elm selection

Resistance: High Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Classic American elm form

Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9

Released: Recent release from breeding programs

'Lewis & Clark' (Prairie Expedition™)

Parentage: American elm × Asian elm hybrid

Resistance: Excellent Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Upright spreading, 50-60 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-7

Released: North Dakota State University

'Discovery'

Parentage: American elm × Asian elm hybrid

Resistance: High Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Broad vase shape, 50-60 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 4-8

Released: University of Wisconsin

Chinese Elm Cultivars

'Evergreen' (Sempervirens)

Species: Ulmus parvifolia

Resistance: Natural resistance to Dutch Elm Disease

Characteristics: Semi-evergreen in mild climates, 35-40 feet

Hardiness: USDA zones 5-10

Note: True Chinese elm, not Siberian elm

'Drake'

Species: Ulmus parvifolia

Resistance: Good Dutch Elm Disease resistance

Characteristics: Weeping form, 25-35 feet tall

Hardiness: USDA zones 6-10

Use: Particularly popular in warmer climates

Performance Characteristics

Resistance Levels

Excellent Resistance (90%+ survival)

Valley Forge, New Harmony, Athena™, Triumph™

Suitable for high disease pressure areas

Minimal management required

Good Resistance (70-90% survival)

Princeton, Jefferson, Accolade™, Sapporo Autumn Gold

Appropriate for most urban environments

May benefit from monitoring

Moderate Resistance (50-70% survival)

Some European selections

Suitable for areas with lower disease pressure

May require supplemental management

Growth Characteristics

Fast Growing: New Harmony, Jefferson, most hybrids Moderate Growth: Valley Forge, Princeton, Morton selections Slower Growing: Some European cultivars, Chinese elm varieties

Form and Size

Large Trees (50+ feet): Valley Forge, New Harmony, Allee® Medium Trees (30-50 feet): Athena™, Accolade™, Triumph™ Smaller Trees (<40 feet): Drake, Groeneveld, some European selections

Selection Considerations

Climate Adaptation

Cold Hardy: Siberian and Japanese elm hybrids

Heat Tolerant: Chinese elm cultivars, some American hybrids

Moisture Requirements: Vary by cultivar and parentage

Urban Conditions

Pollution Tolerance: Most resistant cultivars show good urban adaptation

Salt Tolerance: Variable, Chinese elms generally more tolerant

Soil Adaptability: Most cultivars adaptable to various soil conditions

Aesthetic Preferences

Classic American Form: Valley Forge, New Harmony, Princeton

Compact Growth: Athena™, Groeneveld, some European cultivars

Unique Forms: Columnar (Columella), Weeping (Drake)

Availability and Sources

Commercial Availability

Most major resistant cultivars available through nurseries

Specialty nurseries may carry wider selection

Some newer releases have limited availability

Regional Preferences

Northeast/Midwest: American elm hybrids preferred

Northern Plains: Cold-hardy Japanese elm hybrids

Southern Areas: Chinese elm cultivars popular

Urban Areas: Compact and pollution-tolerant varieties

Future Developments

Ongoing Breeding

Second and third generation improvements

Enhanced resistance and better form

Climate adaptation improvements

Genetic Diversity

Importance of planting multiple cultivars

Avoiding monoculture plantings

Building resilient urban forests

Bottom Line

Numerous elm cultivars with Dutch Elm Disease resistance are now available, providing alternatives to susceptible elms. Selection considerations include local climate, growing conditions, desired size and form, and level of disease pressure. No cultivar is completely immune, but the most resistant varieties show high survival rates and can restore elm populations in areas where the disease has been most severe.

Related Information:

General resistance information: Are There Trees Resistant To Dutch Elm Disease?

Disease symptoms: What Are the Symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease?

Prevention strategies: What Preventative Treatments Exist for Dutch Elm Disease?

Long-term outlook: Will Dutch Elm Disease Make Elms Extinct?

Geographic range: What Is The Range of Dutch Elm Disease?