{"product_id":"american-elm-tree","title":"American Elm Tree","description":"\u003ch3\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe American Elm is a majestic, long-lived deciduous tree renowned for its graceful, vase-like canopy and sweeping arching branches that create a magnificent natural cathedral overhead. Historically celebrated as the quintessential street tree, this native giant transitions effortlessly through the seasons, offering a grand structural presence to any landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn early spring, before its leaves fully emerge, it produces subtle clusters of reddish-green flowers that welcome the new season. By late spring, winged seed pods (samaras) develop and mature, providing early forage for local wildlife. As autumn arrives, the lush green leaves turn a brilliant, golden-yellow, eventually dropping to reveal a striking, intricate silhouette of branching architecture against the winter sky.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Ecological Footprint\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Canopy:\u003c\/b\u003e A premier ecological anchor, offering high-quality nesting sites and shelter for numerous songbirds, hawks, and small mammals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Seed Buffet:\u003c\/b\u003e Produces papery samaras that serve as a vital, early-season food source for various birds and small mammals in the spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil Anchor:\u003c\/b\u003e Exceptional at stabilizing soils and preventing erosion thanks to its widespread, resilient root system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardy Survivor:\u003c\/b\u003e Robustly adapts to varying soil conditions and urban environments, making it a reliable choice for large properties and open spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Honest Harvest (What to Expect)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Perks:\u003c\/b\u003e Highly adaptable to various soil types, boasts a breathtaking, classic vase-shaped silhouette, provides magnificent dense shade, and grows at a remarkably fast rate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Caveats:\u003c\/b\u003e Susceptible to Dutch Elm disease and elm leaf beetles, which may require proactive monitoring and professional care. Its large mature size and sprawling root system mean it needs ample space away from underground utilities and structures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e Ulmus americana\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/b\u003e American Elm, White Elm, Water Elm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 60-80 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/b\u003e 40-60 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/b\u003e Fast (2-3 feet per year)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/b\u003e 150-300 years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/b\u003e 3-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChill Hours:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Preference:\u003c\/b\u003e Full sun to partial shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Rich, moist, well-drained soils; highly adaptable to clay, loam, and sand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/b\u003e Adaptable (4.8-8.0)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate; prefers consistently moist conditions but tolerates occasional dry spells once established\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlower Color:\u003c\/b\u003e Inconspicuous reddish-green; early spring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruit Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Flat, winged green-to-brown samaras; mid-spring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinators:\u003c\/b\u003e Wind-pollinated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Large, upright, vase-shaped deciduous tree with an expansive canopy\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 40-50 feet apart for large open plantings or grand avenues\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLandscape Uses:\u003c\/b\u003e Shade tree, street tree, park planting, large lawn specimen, native naturalizing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaintenance Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate (requires periodic structural pruning and monitoring for pests or diseases)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydration:\u003c\/b\u003e Saturate the planting area thoroughly before setting the tree into the ground, and maintain consistent moisture during its initial establishment phase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSiting:\u003c\/b\u003e Choose a spacious location with plenty of room for its large canopy and root spread, ideally in full sun with deep, fertile soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMulching:\u003c\/b\u003e Apply a wide, 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base to retain ground moisture and protect the surface roots, keeping the mulch several inches away from the trunk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/b\u003e Ensure the tree receives regular, deep waterings during its first two growing seasons to help its extensive root system take hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning:\u003c\/b\u003e Prune in late winter or early spring during the dormant season to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to encourage a strong, central leader structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/b\u003e Generally unnecessary in rich soils. If growth appears sluggish, a balanced, slow-release tree fertilizer applied in early spring can help support vigor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ATM Gardens","offers":[{"title":"1-2ft","offer_id":51915349098791,"sku":"ST47A1","price":41.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2-3ft","offer_id":51915349131559,"sku":"ST47A2","price":51.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-4ft","offer_id":51915349164327,"sku":"ST47A3","price":64.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/9094\/0711\/files\/ELMAMERICAN16_1.jpg?v=1787532648","url":"https:\/\/atmgardens.com\/products\/american-elm-tree","provider":"ATM Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}