Largefruited Elm Plant Care

Ulmus macrocarpa Hance

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, the large-fruited elm, is a deciduous tree or large shrub endemic to the Far East excluding Japan. It is notable for its tolerance of drought and extreme cold and is the predominant vegetation on the dunes of the Khorchin sandy lands in the Jilin province of north-eastern China, making a small tree at the base of the dunes, and a shrub at the top.

🌳Trees
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

0–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Largefruited Elm?

Plant Largefruited Elm in full sun to partial shade and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F (-18–32°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

What Is the Largefruited Elm?

Largefruited Elm (Ulmus macrocarpa) belongs to the Ulmaceae family within the Ulmus genus. Largefruited Elm is native to the Far East excluding Japan. Largefruited Elm is also known as Mongolian Elm, Manchurian Elm.

Largefruited Elm displays a tall, deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 80 ft tall with a spread of approximately 60 ft. Largefruited Elm produces inconspicuous small flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Largefruited Elm?

Water a young or newly planted Largefruited Elm every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Largefruited Elm Need?

Largefruited Elm thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Largefruited Elm Prefer?

Ulmus macrocarpa tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Largefruited Elm prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

0–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Largefruited Elm?

Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Largefruited Elm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Largefruited Elm?

Feed Largefruited Elm every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Largefruited Elm?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Largefruited Elm?

Largefruited Elm can spread to about 60 ft (18.3 m) and reach about 80 ft (24 m) tall. Space plants about 60 ft (18.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Largefruited Elm?

Prune Largefruited Elm while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Largefruited Elm in Winter?

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Largefruited Elm?

Largefruited Elm can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american elm plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Largefruited Elm Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Largefruited Elm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Largefruited Elm?

Largefruited Elm is susceptible to elm leaf beetles, aphids, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Keep exploring plants

Largefruited Elm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Ulmus genus — compare its care with other Ulmus species on PlantoScan.

Ulmus is part of the Ulmaceae plant family — browse all Ulmaceae genera and species.

Largefruited Elm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Ulmus Species

Other Ulmus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, family Ulmaceae (first published in J. Bot. 6: 332 (1868)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Largefruited Elm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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