Care for a Japanese Elm Tree

Overview

The Japanese elm tree (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) is a deciduous tree that will grow rapidly when it is young, slowing down as it matures and ending up just a touch smaller than American elms. Japanese elms are lovely in the autumn, with red, bronze and yellow leaves. This is a tree that is very easy to care for and, most significantly, has shown that it is resistant to the devastating Dutch elm disease. Japanese elm trees are hardy to USDA zones 4 to 8, and some cultivars are hardy to zone 2.

Step 1

Plant your Japanese elm tree in an area that gets full sun. Make sure that it will have lots of room to grow, as the tree can get up to 80 feet tall and 60 feet wide. Soil should offer good drainage, but other than that Japanese elm is tolerant of a wide range in soil quality.

Step 2

Water the Japanese elm tree on the soil that lies at the edge of the canopy. This is the area where the tree's roots can best absorb moisture. Soak the soil thoroughly, allowing the water to puddle, then allow the soil to dry out prior to watering again.

Step 3

Prune the Japanese elm in the winter, when it is dormant. Trim off any branches growing lower than 8 feet up the trunk.