Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Evergreen Elm
Evergreen elm is a fast-growing shade tree with an umbrella-shaped canopy and mottled, flaking bark. It can reach 30 to 60 feet tall and about as wide, which makes it a good fit for big yards and lawns. In a mild Valley winter it keeps most of its leaves, and it leafs out fresh in spring. Plant it in full sun where it gets moderate water.
Best for: fast shade for a large yard, lawns and other watered parts of the yard, and a tree with interesting bark all year.
Evergreen elm grows fast into an umbrella-shaped shade tree 35 to 40 feet tall and 35 to 50 feet wide. Plant it 20 feet or more from other trees so the canopy can spread. It suits large lots, open side yards and the far edge of a backyard.
It handles lawn conditions and wants regular water from spring through fall. Soak it 2 to 3 feet deep at the edge of the canopy, not against the trunk, about every 7 to 14 days in summer.
The bark flakes off in small puzzle-piece patches of gray, tan and orange. That keeps the trunk interesting in winter, when some leaves thin out.
It is too big for small yards and tight spots. Aphids are common on elms, and their sticky honeydew drips on cars and patios below. In a dry gravel bed without regular water it struggles, since it is not a desert tree.
- Row of shade trees20 ft apart
- Wide-spreading single trees30-40 ft apart
For the first two weeks, water a new tree every 1 to 2 days in summer, or every 3 to 4 days in cooler months. Ease to about weekly in summer by the second month. Keep up deep, regular soaks for its first 3 years.
It is not a desert tree and needs moderate water from spring through fall. Once rooted, soak it 2 to 3 feet deep about every 7 to 14 days in summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter. Water at the drip line, not the trunk.
Stake and train it while young so it grows a strong, balanced trunk. Remove the stakes after about a year.
Prune in winter, from December to February. Never take more than a quarter of the canopy in a year.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does an evergreen elm get in Phoenix?
It can reach 35 to 40 feet tall with a canopy 35 to 50 feet wide. Plant it where it has that much room, at least 20 feet from other trees, and check the Spacing tab before you dig.
How fast does evergreen elm grow?
It is a fast grower with regular water. Stake and train a young tree so it builds a strong trunk while it puts on height.
Is evergreen elm really evergreen in Phoenix?
It keeps most of its leaves through a mild Valley winter, but it can drop some or all of them in a colder one. New leaves come back in spring.
How often should I water an evergreen elm?
It is not a desert tree and needs moderate water on a steady schedule from spring through fall. Once rooted, soak it 2 to 3 feet deep about every 7 to 14 days in summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter. Aim the water at the edge of the canopy.
Why is everything under my elm sticky?
Aphids are common on elms, and they drip sticky honeydew that can grow black sooty mold. Hose them off with water, or treat them with insecticidal soap.
How do I prune an evergreen elm?
Train and stake it while it is young so it grows a strong, balanced trunk. Prune in winter, from December to February, and never take more than a quarter of the canopy in one year.
How far apart should I plant evergreen elms?
Plant them at least 20 feet apart. For single trees that spread wide, 30 to 40 feet apart gives each canopy room. The Spacing tab shows both.
How cold hardy is evergreen elm?
It is rated to about 20°F, so a normal Valley winter does not hurt it. Cold mostly affects how many leaves it keeps through winter.
Is evergreen elm messy?
It drops small, papery winged seeds in fall and can shed leaves in a cold winter. Plan on some seasonal raking, and keep aphids in check to avoid sticky honeydew.
Does evergreen elm get Dutch elm disease?
No. It resists Dutch elm disease and is known for good resistance to pests and diseases overall. Aphids are the pest to watch for.
Can evergreen elm pollen bother allergies?
Yes. Its pollen can bother people with allergies.
Evergreen Elm for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Evergreen elm is one of the quickest ways to get big shade in a Valley yard. It grows fast, shows off flaking bark and keeps most of its leaves in a mild winter. Below is what to expect: size, spacing, water, winter leaves, aphids and pruning.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How fast does evergreen elm grow in Phoenix?
Evergreen elm is a fast grower with regular water. It can reach 35 to 40 feet tall and 35 to 50 feet wide, so give it plenty of room from the start.
Does evergreen elm lose its leaves in winter?
In a mild Valley winter it keeps most of its leaves. In a colder winter it can drop some or all of them, then leafs out again in spring.
How often to water an evergreen elm in Arizona
It needs regular water from spring through fall. Once rooted, soak it 2 to 3 feet deep about every 7 to 14 days in summer and every 2 to 4 weeks in winter.
Evergreen elm aphids and sticky honeydew
Aphids are common on elms in Arizona, and their honeydew drips on whatever sits below. Spray them off with water or use insecticidal soap, and plan where you park.
How far apart to plant evergreen elm trees
Give each tree at least 20 feet from the next. Wide-spreading single trees do best 30 to 40 feet apart.
When to prune an evergreen elm
Stake and train young trees so they grow a strong trunk. Prune in winter while the tree is bare, and take no more than a quarter of the canopy in a year.
Is evergreen elm right for your yard?
It fits large lots and lawns that need fast shade and get regular water. It is a poor fit for small yards and dry desert beds.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.