American elm

American elm (Ulmus americana 'Lewis & Clark' PRAIRIE EXPEDITION) requires moderate watering. Water your plant weekly by applying approximately 1 inch of water. Allow the soil to become nearly dry in between watering to ensure the roots are receiving oxygen. Make sure to take into account rain in your area when deciding how much water your plant should receive. Additionally, water the plant in the morning whenever possible to decrease the likelihood of fungus or disease on the leaves.

American elm (Ulmus americana 'Lewis & Clark' PRAIRIE EXPEDITION) requires between 4 - 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Growth can be maximized by keeping the tree in a sunny location throughout the day, especially in the morning hours when sunlight is at its brightest. The tree can also tolerate part shade conditions in the afternoons as long as it receives the minimum amount of direct sunlight. It is important to ensure that the tree’s branches and foliage receive plenty of bright light so that it will grow healthy and strong.

American elm trees should be pruned annually in late winter or early spring when they are still dormant. Pruning should be done before the tree begins to leaf out. This particular type of elm responds well to pruning and does not require extensive work beyond basic shaping. When pruning, start by removing any dead, diseased, or broken branches, and any that grow inward towards the center of the tree. Thin out any branches that cross or crowd others, as this can affect the tree’s overall shape and growth. Remove any suckers or water sprouts that appear near the base of the tree. Although it is important to prune the tree each year, you should not remove more than 1/3 of the tree’s canopy at any given time. A good rule of thumb is to prune 1 out of every 5 branches. This will help to maintain the natural shape of the tree while also allowing it to grow new branches and twigs. When pruning the American elm, keep in mind that over-pruning can weaken the tree and will require it to use energy to replace the branches that have been removed. It is therefore important to understand the correct way to prune this species to avoid such damage.