Chinese elm

Chinese elm trees should be watered once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions. During periods of hot, dry weather, the tree should be watered twice a week, deeply and thoroughly, supplying 1 to 2 inches of water each time. Water should be distributed evenly around the root circle of the tree, saturating the soil about 6 to 8 inches deep. When it rains, the tree does not need to be watered. During the winter, reduce watering to every 1-2 months. Always check the soil before watering, as overwatering can be more damaging to a plant than underwatering.

The Chinese elm is a shade tolerant species and can do well with as little as 3 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, for optimal growth, the ideal amount of sunlight for the Chinese elm is 6-8 hours per day. When it comes to the timing of the sunlight, Chinese elms flourish in morning to late afternoon sunlight, meaning that direct light should be available from 6 am to 8 pm.

Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia ‘Dynasty’) should be pruned during the dormant season in late winter. Pruning should only be done when the tree is mature, so wait until it is around 4-5 years old before doing so. It is recommended to only prune 25-30% of the total canopy of the tree or risk losing its natural form. Removal of dead or damaged branches should also be done as soon as possible. Prune with sharp, disinfected tools, and sterilize the pruning wound to prevent infection.