Common Name: Chinese Elm

General Information

Ulmus parvifolia is a semideciduous tree with a rounded crown and long, pendulous branches; it can grow up to 25 metres tall, though is more likely to be 12 - 15 metres tall, especially in cultivation[, ]. The bole can be up to 100cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials, whilst the tree is harvested on a commercial basis for its wood. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens and as a shade and street tree[]; several smaller cultivars have been developed.
Often grown as an ornamental, there are instances in Wisconsin, USA where the tree has become invasive[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam.

Habitat

Rich soil and near water courses in W. China[] at elevations below 800 metres[]..

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a position in full sun, but tolerates light shade[, ]. Grows best in a moist, fertile, well-drained loamy soil, but can adapt to most soils and drier sites[]. Plants are tolerant of urban pollution[]. Fairly tolerant of maritime exposure, it succeeds outdoors in a very exposed position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall[].
A fast-growing tree[], though branches tend to break when stressed with snow, ice or wind[].
The tree has a tendency to produce more than one leader when young and may need pruning if a single trunk is desired[].
This species is fairly resistant to 'Dutch elm disease', a disease that has destroyed the greater part of all the native elm trees growing in countries such as Britain nd the USA. The disease is spread by a beetle. There is no effective cure (1992) for the problem, but most E. Asian, though not Himalayan, species are resistant (though not immune) to the disease so the potential exists to use these resistant species to develop new resistant hybrids with the native species[].
The various species hybridize freely, the pollen stores well and can be kept for use with species that flower at different times[].
Trees retain their leaves until early in the new year[] and in areas with mild winters will often retain them until new leaves are formed in the spring[].
A good companion for grapes[].
There are some named forms, developed for their ornamental value. 'Frosty' and 'Geisha' are small bushes whilst 'Pumila' is a minute bush for the rock garden.

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ].

Immature fruits, used just after they are formed - raw or cooked[, ]. An aromatic, unusual flavour, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and the breath smelling pleasant[]. It contains about 34.4% protein, 28.2% fat, 17% carbohydrate, 5% ash[].

Inner bark - cooked. A mucilaginous texture[, ]. The inner bark is dried, powdered and used to make a mucilaginous meal[]. It can be used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[].

Medicinal

The leaves are antidote and lithontripic[].

The stem bark is demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypnotic and lithontripic[, ].
Collectively, the bark of all species in the genus Ulmus may have anti-inflammatory effects in the gut[].

The flowers are used in the treatment of fevers and neuritis[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Fairly resistant to maritime exposure, the tree can be grown in a shelter belt[].

Other Uses

The inner bark is an ingredient in the composition of incense[].

Coarse cloth and ropes are woven from the fibres obtained from the inner bark. The fibre is also used to make sandals[].

The Chinese elm produces such a beautiful timber that it is to be regretted that it has never been available in ordinary commercial circles[]. The colour is a rich, warm, golden yellow-red, with a beautiful and very smooth surface, and a hard, close grain, so that on account of its colour, grain, and lustre it would form one of the most beautiful decorative woods obtainable. There is no indication of any liability to warp and twist, as in the case of all British-grown elms[]. The wood is hard, heavy, and tough, it is much used in the wood-working industries[].

Propagation

Seed - if sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, it usually germinates within a few days[]. Stored seed does not germinate so well and should be sown in early spring[]. One to two months stratification can improve germination rates. The seed can also be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the tree) and sown immediately in a cold frame. It should germinate very quickly and will produce a larger plant by the end of the growing season[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants should not be allowed to grow for more than two years in a nursery bed since they form a tap root and will then move badly.
Layering of suckers or coppiced shoots[].