{"product_id":"accolade-elm","title":"Accolade Elm","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Graceful, Glossy Hybrid Elm With Elite Disease Resistance\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccolade Elm (\u003cem\u003eUlmus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Accolade') is a hybrid Asian elm bred by the Morton Arboretum that pairs the classic upright vase shape of a great elm with exceptional, time-proven disease resistance. Glossy dark-green leaves, fast growth, and resistance to both Dutch elm disease and elm yellows have made it one of the most widely planted American-elm alternatives — lining boulevards from Chicago to the Twin Cities since the 1980s. Hardy through USDA zone 3, it's a dependable, low-risk shade tree. Whether you want quick shade over an Eden Prairie backyard, a graceful street tree in St. Paul, or a fast ash replacement in Maple Grove, Accolade is a proven performer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAccolade Elm Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eUlmus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Accolade' (\u003cem\u003eU. davidiana\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003eU. wilsoniana\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAccolade Elm, Hybrid Elm, Morton Accolade Elm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 40 feet — upright vase form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast — about 3–5 feet per year when young\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hrs); tolerates light shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Tolerates a wide range of soils; prefers consistent moisture while establishing.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — exceptionally cold-hardy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighly adaptable. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and urban soils; prefers deep, well-drained loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — glossy dark-green leaves; graceful, arching vase canopy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFall Color\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDutch Elm Disease Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery high — a proven resistant cultivar used since the 1980s; also resists elm yellows\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to USDA zone 3 — proven in Twin Cities winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant; protect the trunk from buck rub the first 2 winters\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native — a Morton Arboretum hybrid of Asian elm species, bred for disease resistance and form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAccolade Elm Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGraceful Vase-Shaped Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccolade grows fast into an upright, arching vase that echoes the classic American elm silhouette, with glossy foliage that stays clean and handsome through summer. It makes a refined, fast-establishing shade tree for Twin Cities yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProven Street and Boulevard Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecades of use across Chicago and the Twin Cities have proven Accolade on tough urban sites. Its strong resistance to both Dutch elm disease and elm yellows makes it one of the lowest-risk boulevard elms you can plant. Keep it back from the heaviest direct road-salt spray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Replacement Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick growth makes Accolade an excellent rapid-canopy replacement for ash trees lost to emerald ash borer, restoring shade far faster than a slower-growing oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Accolade Elm in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003espring (late April–May, after the ground thaws)\u003c\/strong\u003e for a full growing season of root establishment, or in \u003cstrong\u003eearly fall (late August–early October)\u003c\/strong\u003e while the soil is still warm. Get it in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes — typically mid-November in the Twin Cities. Avoid mid-summer planting in heat and humidity, and never plant after mid-October or before spring thaw.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Accolade Elm\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width but only as deep as the ball is tall, so the root flare sits at or slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan — if water pools and won't drain, break through the clay layer or mound-plant slightly to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; don't build a pure-compost \"container\" the roots won't grow beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpacing — give a single specimen 30–40 feet of clearance; space a boulevard row 40–45 feet apart for an arching canopy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch watering ring to direct water to the roots, then flatten it before winter so it doesn't trap ice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips in a wide ring, kept 2 inches off the trunk. Never use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Accolade Elm in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water deeply and slowly every 1–2 days. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3–6: every 5–7 days during active growth, easing off when rainfall is adequate (the Twin Cities average about 3 inches a month from June through August). \u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes\u003c\/strong\u003e — usually late October — so the tree doesn't push tender growth heading into winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn established Accolade largely cares for itself, needing supplemental water mainly during extended droughts (two-plus weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Soak deeply to 8–12 inches every 7–14 days during dry spells and let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Accolade Elm survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — easily. It's rated to USDA zone 3 and is reliably hardy in Twin Cities winters. Wrap the young trunk the first winter to prevent sunscald and buck rub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it resistant to Dutch elm disease?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — very high resistance, and it also resists elm yellows. Accolade has been a primary American-elm replacement since the 1980s with an excellent track record. No elm is fully immune, but Accolade is among the most reliable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow here?\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast when young — about 3–5 feet per year — which makes it one of the quickest shade trees to establish a usable canopy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — Accolade is a hybrid of Asian elm species, bred at the Morton Arboretum. If you'd prefer a native, our American elm selections (Valley Forge, Princeton, New Harmony, Jefferson, St. Croix, Prairie Expedition) are \u003cem\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it tolerate clay and urban soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — exceptionally well. Accolade handles compacted, clay, and tough city soils, which is a big part of its long popularity as a boulevard tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTriumph Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a closely related glossy hybrid elm with a vigorous vase form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNew Horizon Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fast, upright hybrid elm with near-immune DED resistance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eValley Forge Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — the most DED-resistant native American elm, with a classic arching vase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrinceton American Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a classic DED-resistant native American elm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGreenspire Littleleaf Linden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tough, uniform boulevard tree with fragrant pollinator bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Accolade Elm Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccolade is a large, vase-shaped shade tree maturing around 40 feet wide, so it is almost always planted as a single specimen rather than in a hedge. Give one tree 30–40 feet of open space from buildings and other large trees. For a matching boulevard or driveway row, space trees 40–45 feet apart so the arching canopies meet overhead without crowding. For an informal grove on a large property, plant a loose group of 3 spaced 35–40 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAccolade Elm Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Leafs out early with glossy dark-green foliage; small reddish flowers open before the leaves but are barely noticeable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dense, arching vase canopy throws cool, even shade, and the clean foliage resists the leaf scorch and disease that plague older elms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage turns a clear yellow before dropping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bare branches reveal the classic upright vase silhouette against the snow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant (once established)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/greenspire-littleleaf-linden\"\u003eGreenspire Littleleaf Linden\u003c\/a\u003e — another tough boulevard shade tree with fragrant pollinator bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/princeton-american-elm\"\u003ePrinceton American Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — pair the hybrid with a classic native elm for a matched street planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/redmond-linden\"\u003eRedmond Linden\u003c\/a\u003e — fast native shade with fragrant midsummer flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-hills-spruce\"\u003eBlack Hills Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a dense evergreen backdrop that frames the elm's open canopy year-round.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Accolade Elm Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccolade thrives in full sun and open space with room for a 40-foot canopy, and it shrugs off the clay, compacted, and urban soils that defeat fussier trees. It carries the strongest class of Dutch elm disease resistance and handles moderate deer pressure. Not a fit if you have a small lot, plant it directly in the heaviest road-salt spray zone, or want a tree that stays under 30 feet — for tight spaces choose a narrow Boulevard Linden or a columnar selection instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260803141937,"sku":"GT-T4499","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260803174705,"sku":"GT-T4500","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/accolade-elm.jpg?v=1779426689","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/accolade-elm","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}