Is this tree evergreen?

It is semi-evergreen, meaning it may hold its leaves through mild winters but will drop them in colder climates.

How fast does it grow?

It is considered a moderate to fast grower, often adding 60 to 90 centimeters per year in ideal conditions.

Plant guide

Chinese elm.

Ulmus parvifolia

Pronounced UL-mus par-vih-FOH-lee-uh

Also known as Chinese elm, Lacebark elm, lacebark

The Chinese elm is a beautiful, hardy tree known for its distinctive exfoliating bark that reveals mottled patterns of gray, green, and orange. It is a favorite for bonsai enthusiasts because of its small, serrated leaves and graceful, arching branches. This tree is quite adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments.

Another photo of Chinese elm — Photo by Douglas Goldman (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 2 to 5 days
Mature size: 40 to 50 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late summer to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to maintain health. Watch for yellowing leaves as a sign of overwatering or root stress. Ensure the tree gets plenty of airflow to prevent common fungal issues.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back new growth to maintain shape and encourage dense branching.
Repotting: Repot when the roots have filled the container or the soil has broken down.
Soil: Well-draining, fertile loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -25 to 40°C
Humidity: 30 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 50 to 100 years in landscape settings.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Water draining too quickly through the soil
Noticeable decline in growth rate

Safety

People: This plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the tree should be planted away from play areas due to its eventual large size.
Contact allergens: The rough texture of the leaves may cause minor irritation for those with sensitive skin.
Airborne allergens: The windborne pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals during the late summer flowering period.
Edibility: The seeds are technically edible but are not commonly consumed due to their papery texture and lack of flavor.

How to identify it

Exfoliating bark with mottled colors
Small, glossy, serrated green leaves
Graceful, arching branch structure
Small, papery, winged samara seeds

Height: 12 to 18m
Spread: 9 to 15m
Leaves: green, yellow, red, semi-evergreen
Flowers: green, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: tan, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Elm leaf beetle · Beetles feed on leaves, causing skeletonization and premature drop.
Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that creates a white, dusty coating on the foliage.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your chinese elm from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed in its hardiness range. Simply ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot during wet winter months.
In containers: It is an excellent choice for containers and is one of the most popular species for bonsai, requiring a pot at least 30 centimeters wide.

Softwood cuttings

1. Take 10 centimeter cuttings in early summer.
2. Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a well-draining potting mix and keep humid until rooted.

Plant shallow-rooted perennials beneath the tree to avoid disturbing the elm's root system.

Grows well with

Daylily · These perennials thrive in the dappled shade provided by the elm canopy.
Purple Coneflower · They provide a nice color contrast and attract pollinators to the base of the tree.

Similar species

American Elm · A much larger native species that is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

Science

Family: Ulmaceae
Genus: Ulmus
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea.
Conservation: This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It thrives in diverse habitats, often colonizing open, sunny areas where its wind-dispersed seeds can easily germinate.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting site
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental shade tree, bonsai specimen, street tree, windbreak

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this tree evergreen?: It is semi-evergreen, meaning it may hold its leaves through mild winters but will drop them in colder climates.
How fast does it grow?: It is considered a moderate to fast grower, often adding 60 to 90 centimeters per year in ideal conditions.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet parvifolia means small-leaved, referring to its distinctively tiny foliage compared to other elms.

Good to know

The bark peels away in patches to reveal a mottled pattern of orange, gray, and brown.
It is one of the few elms that is resistant to Dutch elm disease.
The tree can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions, including compacted urban soils.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on October 29, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.