{"product_id":"new-harmony-elm","title":"New Harmony Elm","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Refined American Elm With the Classic Vase Silhouette Restored\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew Harmony Elm (\u003cem\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/em\u003e 'New Harmony') was selected by the USDA National Arboretum for two things at once: high Dutch elm disease tolerance and the beautifully symmetrical, vase-shaped form that made American elms the signature street tree of the Upper Midwest. It grows fast into a sturdy, refined canopy and is reliably hardy through USDA zone 4. Whether you want to recreate a cathedral-canopy boulevard in St. Paul, plant a stately native shade tree in a Maple Grove yard, or anchor a large Woodbury property, New Harmony brings back the classic elm look with modern disease resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNew Harmony 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 'New Harmony'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNew Harmony Elm, American Elm, New Harmony American Elm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60–70 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–60 feet — symmetrical, arching vase form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast — about 2–3 feet per year in Minnesota once established\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; symmetrical, 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 — USDA-developed and field-tested against DED for decades\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\u003eNew Harmony Elm Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSymmetrical Vase-Shaped Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew Harmony was selected for an especially uniform, symmetrical version of the classic elm vase — a high, arching canopy that needs little corrective pruning and casts deep shade. It makes a stately, refined centerpiece for a larger Twin Cities yard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBoulevard and Cathedral-Canopy Streets\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts consistent form and high disease tolerance make New Harmony an excellent boulevard tree, arching over a street to recreate the cathedral canopy that Dutch elm disease nearly erased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Native Replacement Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick growth and native status make New Harmony a strong replacement for ash trees lost to emerald ash borer, restoring a big native canopy while supporting local wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant New Harmony 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 New Harmony 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 — New Harmony 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 40–50 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 New Harmony 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 New Harmony 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 New Harmony 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. New Harmony was USDA-developed and field-tested against DED for several decades. As with all elms this is strong tolerance rather than total immunity, but it's a proven, reliable choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Valley Forge?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are USDA-selected American elms. New Harmony is prized for an especially symmetrical, uniform vase form, while Valley Forge is noted for the very highest disease resistance — both are excellent native choices.\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 was once the region's dominant street tree. New Harmony restores that native with modern 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 New Harmony 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\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\u003eJefferson Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — another DED-tolerant native American elm with a graceful vase form.\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\u003eRedmond Linden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a large native shade tree with fragrant pollinator bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many New Harmony Elm Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNew Harmony is a large specimen shade tree, not a hedge plant — one tree is enough to shade a typical Twin Cities backyard. Give a single specimen 40–50 feet of clearance from buildings, driveways, and other large trees so the 50–60-foot vase canopy can develop symmetrically. For a boulevard or driveway allée, plant a row 45–55 feet apart; the arching crowns will meet overhead in 15–20 years to form the classic cathedral canopy. On large acreage, a loose grove of 2–3 trees spaced 50 feet apart reads beautifully without crowding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNew Harmony Elm Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small reddish-green flowers appear on bare branches in early spring (April), followed by papery winged seeds and a fast flush of toothed, dark-green leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The high, arching vase canopy casts deep, cooling shade while putting on 2–3 feet of new growth a year; leaves stay clean dark green through heat and humidity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage turns a clear yellow — the classic American elm gold that once lined Twin Cities boulevards in October.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The bare silhouette is the show: a perfectly symmetrical, upswept vase of dark branches against the snow. Wrap the young trunk the first couple of winters against sunscald and buck rub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/valley-forge-elm\"\u003eValley Forge Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — the highest-DED-resistance American elm; pair the two USDA selections along a long drive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/jefferson-elm\"\u003eJefferson Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — another DED-tolerant native American elm with a graceful, slightly broader vase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/st-croix-elm\"\u003eSt. Croix Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — the Minnesota-discovered survivor elm, a natural companion in a native canopy planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/american-sentry-linden\"\u003eAmerican Sentry Linden\u003c\/a\u003e — a tidy native shade tree with fragrant June bloom to layer beneath and beside big elms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs New Harmony Elm Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose New Harmony if you have a large, sunny yard or boulevard with room for a 60-foot tree, and soil anywhere from heavy clay to occasionally wet bottomland — it thrives where many big shade trees sulk. It's only moderately deer-resistant, so protect the young trunk the first two winters. Not a fit if your space is a small urban lot or under power lines: the 50–60-foot spread needs real room, and there's no pruning regime that keeps an American elm small.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260803305777,"sku":"GT-T4282","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260803338545,"sku":"GT-T4283","price":452.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3\"BB","offer_id":54260803371313,"sku":"GT-T4283.5","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/new-harmony-elm.jpg?v=1779426697","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/new-harmony-elm","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}