Tree · North Texas care guide
Ulmus crassifolia
Nursery Pro tip: Takes clay, drought and neglect. Small leaves, easy cleanup.
The native shade tree that grows in every fence line around Rockwall for a reason: it will grow in anything, fast, with a fine-textured canopy and gold fall color. Small leaves make for easy cleanup and light shade that grass tolerates.
Full sun. Clay, wet clay, dry clay, alkaline — it does not care. Keep it 15 ft off structures; upright habit fits a side yard better than most large trees.
Fall through spring. Wide hole, ball at grade, native soil, Root Stimulator, mulch. Stake loosely the first year — young cedar elms are whippy.
Weekly deep watering the first summer; then it's one of the most drought-proof trees we sell.
Optional spring tree fertilizer the first couple of years.
Winter. Thin crossing branches and establish a leader; it can be twiggy when young and benefits from a little shaping. Not an oak — no oak-wilt window to worry about.
Mistletoe in older trees (cut it out when you see it). Aphids in spring drip a little honeydew; hose them off or ignore them. Elm leaf beetle occasionally chews leaves in summer — rarely worth spraying.
Fast shade for a new yard while slower oaks catch up. Underplant with liriope, dwarf yaupon or Turk's cap.
Written for Rockwall's black clay, heat and winters by the Landscape Source team. Every yard is different — bring a photo by, or ask LS-Ai, and we'll tailor it to your spot.