{"product_id":"st-croix-elm","title":"St. Croix Elm","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Minnesota Survivor Elm That Beat Dutch Elm Disease on Its Own\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSt. Croix Elm (\u003cem\u003eUlmus americana\u003c\/em\u003e 'St. Croix') is a true Minnesota original — a native American elm discovered as a 100-plus-year-old survivor along the St. Croix River, still standing after Dutch elm disease took the elms around it. Now propagated through the First Editions program, it offers the classic arching vase form, robust fast growth, and high disease tolerance that earned it a place in our landscapes. Hardy through USDA zone 3, it's a big, stately native. Whether you want to recreate a cathedral-canopy boulevard in St. Paul, plant a fast native shade tree in a Stillwater yard, or anchor a large Woodbury property, St. Croix carries a genuine Minnesota story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSt. Croix 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 'St. Croix'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSt. Croix Elm, American Elm, St. Croix American Elm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e65–75 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50–60 feet — large, 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) — 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, 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; broad, 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 — selected from a long-lived Minnesota survivor tree (tolerance, not immunity)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to USDA zone 3 — a proven Minnesota selection\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; 'St. Croix' is a Minnesota-discovered selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSt. Croix Elm Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrand Vase-Shaped Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSt. Croix grows into one of the largest, most majestic shade trees you can plant — a high, arching vase 65–75 feet tall that recreates the canopy that once defined Midwest neighborhoods. Give it room and it becomes a generational landmark tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBoulevard and Cathedral-Canopy Streets\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlanted in rows, American elms arch over a street into the cathedral canopy that Dutch elm disease nearly erased. With St. Croix's proven Minnesota tolerance, you can bring that look back with a native that's already survived the disease in our climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFast Native Replacement Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts quick growth and native status make St. Croix a strong replacement for ash trees lost to emerald ash borer — and a meaningful one, restoring a piece of Minnesota's natural and cultural history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant St. Croix 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 St. Croix 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 — St. Croix 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 St. Croix 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 St. Croix 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 St. Croix Elm survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it's a Minnesota native rated to USDA zone 3 and was literally selected from a survivor tree growing here. 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 It has high tolerance. St. Croix was discovered as a 100-plus-year-old survivor near the St. Croix River, having outlived the disease that killed the elms around it. As with all elms this is tolerance rather than total immunity, but it's a proven performer in Minnesota.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it special?\u003c\/strong\u003e Its origin. St. Croix isn't a lab hybrid — it's a genuine Minnesota American elm that survived Dutch elm disease in the wild, propagated so you can plant a piece of that resilience in your own yard.\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 St. Croix is a Minnesota-discovered selection — about as local as a shade tree gets.\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 St. Croix 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\u003ePrairie Expedition Elm\u003c\/strong\u003e — a zone-3 native American elm bred for cold-climate DED tolerance.\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\u003eRedmond Linden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a large native shade tree with fragrant pollinator bloom.\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 St. Croix Elm Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSt. Croix is a generational specimen tree — one is a landmark. Give a single tree 40–50 feet of clearance from buildings, septic systems, and other large trees so the 50–60 foot arching vase can develop. For a cathedral-canopy boulevard or driveway allee, space trees 45–55 feet on center — the high arches meet overhead without crowding the trunks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSt. Croix 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 and papery samaras come early, followed by a fast flush of classic toothed elm foliage — expect 2–3 feet of new growth a year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The broad, arching vase canopy throws deep, cooling shade — the signature American elm silhouette over lawn or street.\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 The high, vase-shaped branch architecture is one of the most beautiful winter silhouettes of any shade tree — instantly recognizable against the snow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-expedition-elm\"\u003ePrairie Expedition Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — zone-3 native elm to diversify a DED-tolerant canopy planting.\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, perfect alongside St. Croix in a row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/princeton-american-elm\"\u003ePrinceton American Elm\u003c\/a\u003e — a classic resistant elm with the same arching vase form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/bur-oak\"\u003eBur Oak\u003c\/a\u003e — a massive Minnesota-native companion for big properties and mixed canopies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs St. Croix Elm Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant St. Croix if you have a big, open site — full sun, any reasonable soil including heavy clay and wet bottomland — and want a fast-growing native landmark with a true Minnesota survival story. It's not a fit for small lots or under power lines: at 65–75 feet tall and up to 60 feet wide, this tree needs serious room, and young trunks need wrapping against sunscald and buck rub for the first couple of winters.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"2\"BB FE","offer_id":54260803666225,"sku":"GT-T4430","price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2.5\"BB FE","offer_id":54260803698993,"sku":"GT-T4431","price":452.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3\"BB FE","offer_id":54260803731761,"sku":"GT-T4432","price":480.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/st-croix-elm.jpg?v=1779426694","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/st-croix-elm","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}