{"product_id":"jefferson-elm","title":"Jefferson Elm","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe American Elm That Survived Every Outbreak on the National Mall\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJefferson Elm (\u003cem\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Jefferson') comes with a remarkable pedigree: it was selected on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., after surviving every major Dutch elm disease outbreak that struck that famous boulevard, then released by the National Park Service after decades of observation. It's one of the most rigorously tested American elms for DED tolerance, and it carries the classic arching vase form back into the landscape with confidence. Hardy through USDA zone 4, it's a stately native. Whether you want to recreate a cathedral-canopy street in St. Paul, plant a heritage-quality shade tree in an Edina yard, or anchor a large Woodbury property, Jefferson is an elm with history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eJefferson 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 americana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Jefferson'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJefferson Elm, American Elm, Jefferson American Elm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–70 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–60 feet — classic arching vase form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to fast — about 1.5–2.5 feet per year in Minnesota\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 and handles wet sites; prefers consistent moisture while establishing.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighly adaptable. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam, wet ground, 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 — classic toothed elm leaves; 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\u003eHigh tolerance — survived every major DED outbreak on the National Mall (tolerance, not strict immunity)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliably hardy through USDA zone 4 — 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\u003eAmerican elm (\u003cem\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/em\u003e) is native to Minnesota and eastern North America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eJefferson Elm Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeritage Vase-Shaped Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJefferson recreates the high, arching elm canopy that once defined American streets — including the National Mall itself. A single tree forms a broad, fountain-like vase and casts deep shade, making a distinguished centerpiece for a larger Twin Cities yard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBoulevard and Cathedral-Canopy Streets\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its proven disease tolerance and classic form, Jefferson is an excellent boulevard tree, arching over a street to recreate the cathedral canopy that Dutch elm disease nearly erased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNative Replacement Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts native status and graceful form make Jefferson a meaningful replacement for ash trees lost to emerald ash borer, restoring a classic native canopy while supporting local wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 drainage — Jefferson tolerates wet soil, but if water pools and never drains, break through any clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly.\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 35–50 feet of clearance from buildings and other large trees; space a boulevard row 45–55 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson Elm survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. It's a native American elm rated to USDA zone 4 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 — high tolerance. Jefferson was selected on the National Mall after surviving every major DED outbreak there, and released by the National Park Service after decades of testing. As with all elms it's strong tolerance rather than strict immunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it special?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its history. Jefferson is a genuine American elm survivor from one of the most famous tree-lined spaces in the country, propagated so you can plant a piece of that resilience in your own landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it native to Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. American elm (\u003cem\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/em\u003e) is native to Minnesota and eastern North America. Jefferson restores that native with proven disease tolerance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it handle clay and wet soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — very well. American elms naturally grow in floodplains and bottomlands, so Jefferson tolerates heavy clay-loam and wet, low-lying ground better than most large shade trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNew Harmony Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a USDA-selected American elm with a refined, symmetrical vase form.\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\u003eSt. Croix Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a Minnesota-discovered survivor American elm with a grand vase form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Sentry Linden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a uniform native linden ideal for boulevards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Jefferson Elm Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJefferson is a large canopy tree — one is a property centerpiece. Give a single specimen 35–50 feet of clearance from buildings and other big trees. For a cathedral-canopy boulevard or driveway allee, space trees 45–55 feet apart so the arching vases meet overhead — a 200-foot drive takes about 4–5 trees per side. Don't crowd it: the 30–60-foot mature spread needs real room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eJefferson Elm Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small reddish flower clusters appear on bare branches in April, followed by papery samaras and fresh toothed leaves — elms are among the first natives to wake.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The arching vase canopy casts deep, cathedral-like shade; dark-green foliage stays clean on this DED-tolerant survivor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage turns a clear classic yellow — the historic color of America's elm-lined streets in October.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The high, fountain-like branch architecture is unmistakable against the sky; strong wood sheds snow well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil   ✔ Shade-Tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/new-harmony-elm\"\u003eNew Harmony Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — a refined, symmetrical USDA-selected American elm to vary an elm boulevard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/valley-forge-elm\"\u003eValley Forge Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — the most DED-resistant American elm, ideal alongside Jefferson for genetic diversity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/st-croix-elm\"\u003eSt. Croix Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — Minnesota's own survivor elm, discovered right here in the St. Croix Valley.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/american-sentry-linden\"\u003eAmerican Sentry Linden\u003c\/a\u003e — a uniform native linden to alternate with elms on a mixed boulevard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Jefferson Elm Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Jefferson if you have a larger lot, boulevard, or low wet spot in full sun and want a fast-growing, historic native canopy tree — it handles clay, floodplain-wet ground, and urban stress, and its DED tolerance is among the best-proven anywhere. It's not a fit for small yards or tight spots under wires: this tree wants to become 50–70 feet of arching canopy, so choose a compact tree like Japanese Tree Lilac where space is limited.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260803240241,"sku":"GT-T4260","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260803273009,"sku":"GT-T4261","price":452.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/jefferson-elm.jpg?v=1779426698","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/jefferson-elm","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}