{"product_id":"prairie-expedition-elm","title":"Prairie Expedition Elm","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Prairie-Tough Native Elm Bred for the Coldest Upper Midwest Winters\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrairie Expedition Elm (\u003cem\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/em\u003e 'Lewis \u0026amp; Clark') is a native American elm discovered as a single naturally resistant survivor in Fargo, North Dakota, then introduced by North Dakota State University. It combines exceptional Dutch elm disease resistance with extreme cold hardiness — built for prairie winters — and grows fast into the classic arching vase form. Reliable all the way to USDA zone 3, it's one of the toughest elms you can plant. Whether you want a fast native shade tree for an exposed Lakeville lot, a dependable boulevard tree in St. Paul, or a hardy replacement for a lost ash in Maple Grove, Prairie Expedition is made for our climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrairie Expedition 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 'Lewis \u0026amp; Clark' (PRAIRIE EXPEDITION)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrairie Expedition Elm, American Elm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e55–60 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35–40 feet — 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\u003e3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — extra 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, 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 — selected from a parent that survived multiple DED outbreaks in North Dakota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to USDA zone 3 — extra cold-hardy compared to other resistant elms\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; Prairie Expedition is an NDSU prairie selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrairie Expedition Elm Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold-Hardy Shade Tree for Exposed Sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBred from a prairie survivor and selected for extreme hardiness, Prairie Expedition is one of the safest elm bets for open, windswept, or northern Twin Cities sites where cold tolerance matters most. It establishes fast and forms a handsome arching vase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBoulevard and Street Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts classic vase form and strong disease resistance make it an excellent boulevard tree, recreating the arching street canopy that Dutch elm disease nearly erased — with a native that's proven its toughness on the northern prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Native Replacement Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuick growth and native status make Prairie Expedition a strong replacement for ash trees lost to emerald ash borer, restoring fast canopy while supporting local wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Prairie Expedition 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 Prairie Expedition 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 — Prairie Expedition 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 35–40 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 Prairie Expedition 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 Prairie Expedition 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 Prairie Expedition Elm survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — better than almost any elm. It's rated to USDA zone 3 and was selected on the North Dakota prairie specifically for extreme cold hardiness. 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 resistance. Its parent tree survived multiple DED outbreaks in North Dakota before NDSU selected and introduced it. As with all elms this is strong tolerance rather than total immunity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from other resistant elms?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its standout trait is cold hardiness — Prairie Expedition was bred for the harshest Upper Midwest winters, making it an especially safe choice for exposed and northern sites.\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. Prairie Expedition is a regional NDSU selection from a wild survivor.\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 Prairie Expedition 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\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\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\u003eNorthwood Red Maple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a University of Minnesota red maple bred for extreme cold-hardiness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBur Oak\u003c\/strong\u003e — a massive, long-lived Minnesota-native shade tree for big properties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Prairie Expedition Elm Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a full-size shade tree, one Prairie Expedition anchors a typical yard — give it 35–40 feet of clearance from the house and other large trees. For a boulevard or driveway allee, space trees 40–45 feet apart on center (2–3 trees per 100 feet) so the vase-shaped crowns arch toward each other to recreate the classic elm-tunnel effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePrairie Expedition Elm Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tiny wind-pollinated flowers appear before the leaves, followed by papery samaras and a fast flush of toothed green foliage — the tree often puts on its quickest growth of the year now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The arching vase canopy delivers broad, high shade that's perfect over a lawn or patio, shrugging off heat, storms, and wet ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage turns a clean, bright yellow before dropping; the small leaves break down quickly in the lawn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The bare silhouette is the classic American elm fountain shape — tall, arching, and instantly recognizable against a winter sky, hardy to zone 3 cold.\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   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/st-croix-elm\"\u003eSt. Croix Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — Minnesota's own survivor elm; mix cultivars in a row for genetic diversity.\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 to pair in a boulevard planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/princeton-american-elm\"\u003ePrinceton American Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic restored American elm for a matched allee.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/northwood-red-maple\"\u003eNorthwood Red Maple\u003c\/a\u003e — a U of M cold-bred maple to add red fall color alongside the elm's yellow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Prairie Expedition Elm Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose it if you want a fast, native, disease-resistant shade tree for an exposed, cold, or even wet site — it's the elm to plant where winters bite hardest, and a strong ash replacement. It's not a fit for small yards or tight boulevards: a 55–60 foot tree with a 35–40 foot crown needs real room, and its vigorous roots belong away from septic lines and small foundations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260803535153,"sku":"GT-T4309","price":370.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260803567921,"sku":"GT-T4310","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2.5\"BB","offer_id":54260803600689,"sku":"GT-T4311","price":439.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3\"BB","offer_id":54260803633457,"sku":"GT-T4312","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/prairie-expedition-elm.jpg?v=1779426698","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/prairie-expedition-elm","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}