Home Garden & Home Trees Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ | Tree Profile

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ | Tree Profile

Trees

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ (Resistant Elm)

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ is a medium-sized tree, growing to around 12 metres high, with one straight central leader. It has an upright canopy which becomes rounded as it matures. Its clean structural form allows for very easy maintenance and works well when avenue planted. Healthy, lush emerald green leaves emerge even in difficult drought conditions. Come autumn, they fade into soft yellow shades of popcorn amber. Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ will also produce pale green flowers and fruit in the late spring.

It grows best in a sunny or part-shaded position, in neutral or slightly acidic soil, well aerated and with a good water supply. Tolerating compact soils it is resistant to stress from traffic, wind and frost. New Horizon’ is also great for wildlife and is a home for the rare white letter hairstreak butterfly. Sadly, this butterfly was struggling in the UK with the decline of elm, but this tree has created a new habitat with sightings of the butterfly occurring within its canopy.

History

In the late 1960s, almost the entire UK population of elms was wiped out by the devastation of Dutch Elm Disease.

This devastating loss of more than 30 million mature trees has meant a new generation of nature lovers has never had the opportunity to marvel at an elm growing wild.

Following the tragic loss of trees, Hillier has partnered with specialist elm breeders in the USA and Europe in order to develop a new, disease-resistant species. This work has led to the creation of a number of ‘resista’ elms.

Hillier and Ulmus ‘New Horizon’

One of the new varieties of ‘resista’ elm, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, is now grown by Hillier at our tree nursery in Hampshire. Over the last 30 years, as it has been planted in select locations across Europe and the UK, it has proven to be Dutch Elm Disease resistant.

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ is a fantastic elm tree. Not only is it resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, but it can withstand pretty much everything you can throw at it – floods, sub-zero temperatures, inner city pollution, poor soils, central reservations, and salt-laden coastal roadsides.

Every Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ supplied by Hillier Nurseries will come with a special Ulmus label and a Certificate of Authenticity. This proves they are fully tested elms, which are resistant to Dutch Elm Disease.

Find out more about how Hillier is working to bring elms back into the British countryside here.

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ Fact file

Flowering time: Late spring

Sun requirements: Full sun – partial shade

Soil: Moist and well-drained

Hardiness: Fully hardy

Size: Can grow to 12m high x 8m spread

Tolerance: 100% Dutch Elm Disease resistant

Pruning Guide

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ is very low maintenance and easy to prune. The ideal time to prune is during late winter and early spring and will not require any routine. The removal of damaged shoots should suffice but you may want to also prune any shoots that are crossing into one another. Be aware that if you prune heavily, your tree may be spoilt.

Where can you see Ulmus ‘New Horizon’?

National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire features a stand of 20 Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, planted in 2020. The Arboretum is an uplifting location with beautiful woodlands and many thousands of visitors every year, who are able to enjoy the growth of the elms.

Find out how to order Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ here.