3 tree species from Elms.
Deciduous Hardwood
American elms once lined streets across the entire eastern U.S. until Dutch elm disease wiped out an estimated 100 million trees in the 20th century. Surviving mature elms are highly valued and often protected. Dutch elm disease remains a constant threat, spread by elm bark beetles. Arborists working on American elms must follow strict sanitation protocols and avoid pruning during the growing season. Preventive fungicide injections are a regular service for high-value specimens. The classic vase-shaped form and arching canopy make American elms one of the most recognizable trees. Disease-resistant cultivars (Valley Forge, Princeton) are now planted as replacements.
$1,500-$4,000 (removal)
Deciduous to Semi-Evergreen Hardwood
Chinese elms are tough, adaptable trees commonly used in urban landscaping. They have mottled, exfoliating bark that makes them easy to identify. Chinese elms are more resistant to Dutch elm disease than American elms, which makes them a popular replacement. The branch structure can be irregular and dense, requiring regular thinning to maintain good airflow and structure. They tend to produce many small-diameter branches rather than a few large ones. In warmer climates, Chinese elms may be semi-evergreen or even evergreen. Root systems are non-invasive compared to silver maples. Chinese elms are sometimes confused with Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), which is a weedy, weak-wooded species.
$800-$2,500 (removal)
Deciduous Hardwood
Slippery elms are native across the eastern U.S. and named for the mucilaginous inner bark that has been used in herbal medicine. They are susceptible to Dutch elm disease like American elms, though slightly more resistant. Slippery elms tend to grow as understory or woodland-edge trees rather than the massive open-grown specimens that American elms produce. The wood is tough and fibrous, with interlocked grain that makes it difficult to split. Elm leaf beetle is a common defoliator. Slippery elms often grow in floodplain areas and bottomlands. They are less commonly planted as landscape trees than American or Chinese elms.
$1,000-$3,000 (removal)