American Princeton Elm

Classic Vase Shape
Large Shade Canopy
Yellow Fall Color

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#15 Container

$223.00

5 in stock

3-4″ Caliper

$498.00

5 in stock

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Starting at $223.00

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Our local delivery area reaches as far north as Schroon Lake, south to Voorheesville, Glenmont, and East Greenbush areas, parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties, much of Washington County, and all areas in between. If you have questions on local delivery, give us a call at

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American Princeton Elm

Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.

American Princeton Elm

American Princeton Elm is a large deciduous shade tree known for its classic vase-shaped canopy, arching branches, green foliage, and soft yellow fall color. This American elm cultivar brings stately structure to lawns, parks, streetscapes, and spacious landscape plantings.

Why choose American Princeton Elm?

Choose American Princeton Elm for heritage shade and elegant form in large-scale landscapes. Its upright vase-shaped habit recalls the classic American elm silhouette, creating a graceful canopy that provides strong visual presence and useful shade. Green summer foliage gives way to yellow fall color, while the branching structure adds winter interest after leaf drop. This cultivar is often selected where gardeners want the look of a traditional American elm with improved landscape performance compared with seedling forms.

Key Characteristics

Botanical Name: Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’
Common Name: American Princeton Elm
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Growth Habit: Upright vase-shaped shade tree with arching branches

American Princeton Elm Additional Information

American Princeton Elm develops into a large, stately tree with a broad, arching canopy and strong vertical presence. Its leaves are medium to dark green through the growing season, with the familiar toothed, asymmetrical elm shape. Small, inconspicuous flowers appear in early spring before or as foliage emerges, followed by papery samaras. The main ornamental value comes from its classic form, summer shade, and yellow fall color.

This tree is deciduous and drops its leaves in fall, revealing a branching framework that can add architectural winter structure. It is best used in open lawns, large front yards, public landscapes, parks, and broad streetscape settings where its mature size can be accommodated. Pruning is most useful while the tree is young, helping develop a strong central framework and well-spaced scaffold branches. Mature trees benefit from periodic inspection and selective pruning to maintain structure and clearance.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant American Princeton Elm in full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil. Choose a generous location away from buildings, overhead wires, sidewalks, and small planting beds so the canopy and root system have room to mature.

2. Watering: Water consistently during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, provide deep watering during extended dry periods, especially in hot, windy, or compacted urban sites.

3. Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture, reduce competition from turf, and moderate soil temperature. Keep mulch pulled away from the trunk flare.

4. Pruning: Prune young trees during dormancy to encourage a strong leader and balanced branch spacing. Remove crossing, damaged, or poorly attached branches while preserving the natural vase-shaped form.

Related Resources

FAQs

How big does American Princeton Elm get?
American Princeton Elm is a large shade tree, commonly reaching about 60 to 80 feet tall with a broad canopy at maturity when grown in suitable open landscape conditions.
Where should I plant American Princeton Elm?
Plant it in a large, open space where it has room to develop its tall trunk, arching branches, and wide vase-shaped canopy. It is best suited for lawns, parks, and spacious streetscapes.
When should American Princeton Elm be pruned?
Prune during dormancy, especially while the tree is young, to build a strong framework. Focus on removing damaged, crossing, or poorly placed branches rather than heavily reducing the canopy.
Is American Princeton Elm evergreen?
No. American Princeton Elm is deciduous, so it loses its leaves in fall. Before leaf drop, the foliage often turns a soft yellow, adding seasonal color.

Shipping Details

Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.

Amount of Order	Shipping Charge
Local Delivery	FREE SHIPPING
Non-Local Delivery	Varies based on UPS shipping

Tall Growth
Full Sun
Seasonal

Mature Height	Medium: Up to 30 ft
Mature Spread	20+ ft
Growth Rate	Fast
Botanical Name	Ulmus americana 'Princeton'
Bloom Time	Non Flowering
Deer Resistant	Usually
Family	Ulmaceae
Flower Color	Non Flowering
Hardiness Zones	4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs	Full Sun
Maintenance	Low
Size	#15 Container, 3-4″ Caliper

Green map of the United States with state boundaries outlined in black, all states shaded in green, on a white background.

Growing Zones 3-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to -40)

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