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, offering viable alternatives to susceptible elms. Selection should consider local climate, growing conditions, desired size and form, and level of disease pressure. While no cultivar is completely immune, the best resistant varieties show excellent survival rates and can successfully restore elm populations in areas where the disease has been devastating.

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