The American Elm Rises Again
Fall 2007 - Vol. 20 No.2

The American Elm tree was once the dominant tree of the American streetscape. Then in the early 1930’s a shipment of lumber from Europe was brought into the United States that was infested with a beetle carrying a fungal infection. This infection turned into a blight wiping out millions of American elm trees over the next few decades. Not all American elms were affected.
A grower at Princeton Nurseries in New Jersey had selected a specimen elm tree for it’s outstanding characteristics. From this tree cuttings were taken and grown on. These trees showed remarkable resistance to Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Over the next several years more cuttings were taken and tests for disease tolerance were done. Beds of American elms were inoculated with high doses of DED and the Princeton Elm showed the best tolerance. (No American elm is resistant to the disease. Tolerant trees host the fungus but do not dye from it.) In 1932 two streets in Princeton, N.J. lined with the Princeton elms and those trees today are magnificent specimens.
Horsford’s Nursery is growing and selling Princeton elm trees. We are delighted to be involved in the reintroduction of this beautiful tree into America’s landscape.
It is one of the easiest and most adaptable trees to grow. They are tolerant of virtually all soil types, all weather conditions and very tolerant of urban pollutants making them a great city street tree.
The Princeton Elm will grow about 3 to 6 feet per year and mature to between 80 to 100 feet. They make an excellent shade tree. If you area planting a cluster or lining a street or driveway you should allow 20 to 50 feet between trees.
Princeton elms are available here at the nursery grown in 10 gallon pots which at 12 to 15 feet are quite manageable for homeowners and easily fit into large vans or small pickups. We also field grow them and have them available from 2 inch caliper to four inch caliper. There is a beautiful large specimen planted along our driveway. Ask our growers to help you choose the perfect tree from our fields.

Princeton Elm
Horsford Gardens and Nursery