Ulmus ‘New Horizon’

Ulmus New Horizon is a medium to large tree that shows complete resistance to Dutch Elm Disease (DED). It’s a fast grower and quick to establish, requiring a similar amount of space for growth as Tilia cordata. As it matures, it forms an appealing, rounded canopy adorned with vibrant leaves that retrain their colour, even in dry conditions. It has established in the harshest of urban conditions and its hardiness is proven to withstand floods, droughts, poor soils, salt laden winds and high levels of pollution, and as such, can and should be widely planted where space allows.

This elm, sharing phenology with native elms, serves as a host for the exceptionally rare White-letter Hairstreak butterfly (WLH), a native and endangered species in the UK due to the devastation caused by DED to their natural habitat. The Butterfly Conservation organisation closely monitors the population of WLH butterflies in a stand of Ulmus New Horizon located in Vauxhall Spring Gardens, London.

The New Horizon is a resilient tree, a rapid grower and swiftly establishes itself, making it a favoured substitute for Fraxinus, which is no longer available due to restrictions on ash tree movement in the UK. It demonstrates full hardiness in extreme cold, exhibits to drought, tolerates the occasional waterlogging, and thrives in coastal conditions and poor soils. For this reason, the New Horizon has been successfully planted in a variety of settings, including Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) schemes, car parks, motorways, and challenging urban developments.

Part of the Resista Elms, it is microchipped and exclusively grown by Hillier under license.