The Dannaspire Columnar Elm Tree offers a distinct and attractive vertical element to landscapes. Its narrow, upright growth habit distinguishes it from broader elm varieties, making it a desirable choice for various garden and urban settings. This tree provides a unique form that can enhance visual appeal without demanding extensive horizontal space.
Distinctive Characteristics
The Dannaspire Columnar Elm (Ulmus parvifolia ‘Dannaspire’) is known for its narrow and upright growth. It typically reaches a mature height of 20 to 30 feet, while maintaining a slender spread of just 3 to 5 feet, creating a compact footprint. This growth habit ensures the tree remains columnar, with branches that do not splay outwards as it ages.
Its foliage features small, rich green leaves throughout the growing season, transforming into a vibrant yellow to yellow-orange in autumn for a long-lasting display of fall color. Its unique bark begins to curl and peel with maturity, revealing attractive patches of orange, white, and gray underneath. This tree exhibits a moderate to fast growth rate, potentially adding 2 to 3 feet in height annually, and is notably hardy, thriving across USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.
The Dannaspire Columnar Elm has high resistance to Dutch Elm Disease (DED) and Elm Yellows. This resistance is a result of selective breeding, addressing the vulnerability that historically affected many elm species. The tree also demonstrates notable tolerance for tough conditions, including urban environments and air pollution.
Planting and Ongoing Care
Selecting the appropriate site for planting a Dannaspire Columnar Elm is crucial. This tree thrives in full sunlight, ideally six to eight hours per day, though it can tolerate partial shade. It adapts well to various soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy compositions, but well-drained soil is preferred to prevent waterlogging. Ensure the chosen spot allows for the tree’s mature height, avoiding proximity to overhead power lines or structures.
When planting, dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball, but only as deep. Backfill with excavated soil, gently tamping to eliminate air pockets. Following planting, provide a thorough initial watering to help settle the soil around the roots. Applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches from the trunk, helps retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Young, newly planted Dannaspire Columnar Elms require consistent watering, typically about once a week during the growing season if rainfall is insufficient. Check the soil moisture 2 to 3 inches deep; if it feels dry, it is time to water. Once established, usually after a couple of years, its drought tolerance increases, and watering can be reduced to periods of prolonged dryness. Fertilization is minimal; young elms may benefit from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, but established trees rarely require annual feeding.
Pruning requirements for the Dannaspire Columnar Elm are minimal, focusing on maintaining its shape and removing any dead or damaged branches. The optimal time for pruning is late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant and before new growth emerges. Its inherent resistance to major elm diseases, such as Dutch Elm Disease and Elm Yellows, reduces the need for disease management.
Ideal Landscape Applications
The slender, upright form of the Dannaspire Columnar Elm makes it an excellent choice for a variety of landscape designs. Its narrow growth habit is particularly well-suited for smaller gardens, courtyards, or urban environments where lateral expansion is limited. This tree can serve as a striking vertical accent.
Its adaptability also makes it a strong candidate for use as a street tree, even in areas with air pollution. When planted in a row, the Dannaspire Columnar Elm can effectively create a natural privacy screen or a windbreak. Its columnar shape and tolerance for various conditions make it suitable for formal garden settings, contributing to a structured aesthetic.
Once established, the Dannaspire Columnar Elm is relatively low maintenance. Its resistance to Dutch Elm Disease and Elm Yellows, combined with its tolerance for urban conditions, makes it a resilient choice. Its vibrant fall color and exfoliating bark enhance its value in diverse landscape compositions.