1935 SPRING AND FALL THE HOUSE OF GURNEY, INC. ^ YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA 
CHINESE ELM—(Continued) 
Planting Chinese Elm Seed in Our Nursery 
Here it is, that wonderful, hardy, extremely 
rapid growing shade tree that is taking the coun¬ 
try by storm. It is quite similar to the American 
Elm in appearance, having the same great height 
and majesty, with innumerable slender branches, 
and narrow, elliptical leaves. For grace and 
beauty, it compares favorably with the Birches. 
There are many other things, too, that make 
the Chinese Elm so desirable, chief of these being 
its very rapid growth (it probably grows faster 
than any other shade tree), and its marvelous 
adaptability to soils and conditions where other 
varieties cannot thrive. For the western, arid 
sections it is positively unexcelled—it is ideally 
suited to the dry soil and extreme temperatures. 
It develops into a splendid shade tree, tall, 
broad, and protective, besides being a useful 
windbreak tree. Since its introduction by the 
Department of Agriculture about 20 years ago, 
it has undergone the most rigid experiments, and 
does well in practically every locality of the 
United States. We cannot recommend it too 
highly. Leaves stay on the trees much longer 
in the autumn than on the American Elm. 
Among the many valuable contributions of 
northern China to American horticulture, the 
Chinese Elm (Ulmus pumila) stands out as one 
likely to prove of increasing value to certain sec¬ 
tions of the United States. First introduced in 
1908 by Frank N. Meyer, agricultural explorer, 
from near Peking, Chihli, China, the tree is es¬ 
tablished in a number of places in this country, 
and seeds and plants are offered for sale by sev¬ 
eral nurseries in the South and West. 
It is a rapid grower, with slender, almost wiry 
branches. The leaves are elliptical and smaller 
than those of the American Elm. If allowed to 
assume its natural habit, the Chinese Elm de¬ 
velops numerous branches along its trunk, mak¬ 
ing a rather dense growth from near the base and 
resembling in some instances large shrubs. It is 
one of the first trees to leaf out in the spring and 
the last to shed its leaves in the fall. Throughout 
the long season the leaves remain a beautiful 
green and are remarkably free from the usual 
plant diseases and insect injuries so common in 
many of the other Elms. 
Tree Is Very Hardy 
It is very hardy and has proved valuable under 
a greater variety of climatic and soil conditions 
than any tree yet introduced. Very favorable 
reports have been received from practically every 
section of the country. It has proved winter 
hardy in most trials in the Dakotas, Minnesota, 
New York, Montana, and other northern states. 
Its resistance to drought, alkali, and extremes 
of temperature render it an especially valuable 
tree in the Great Plains region where desirable 
shade trees are few, in the semi-arid South and 
Southwest, and in fact in almost any portion 
of the continental United States. 
As a shade, windbreak, and avenue tree, the 
Chinese Elm has proved to be the most success¬ 
ful introduction of this kind thus far attempted. 
A recent report from one of the department’s 
explorers in Manchuria brings out the fact that 
this tree is used there for hedges 2 to 3 feet high; 
in some instances being used for screens up to 
12 to IS feet in height. It is also used there for 
formal plantings, the trunk being trimmed of 
branches to a height of 6 to 8 feet, with the top 
portion of the tree trimmed to a conical shape. 
If the trunk is kept trimmed, this Elm will 
assume a tree-like habit and make a splendid 
shade or avenue tree. Its natural habit of 
growth also makes it valuable as a windbreak. 
Hybrid Chinese Elm—Grafted 
We never reach perfection in anything. If we 
did, all progress would die. Although the Chinese 
Elm approaches perfection as a general utility 
tree for the middle Northwest, we believe there 
is room for improvement. The Chinese Elm 
crosses naturally with the American White Elm. 
From these natural crosses, we have grown 
Hybrids, some of which have shown decided 
merit. They take on the graceful habit of the 
American Elm and still grow as fast as the 
Chinese, We have retained this habit and form 
of growth and by grafting or budding on Chinese 
Elm roots, have given them the speed, hardiness, 
and drought-resistance of the Chinese Elm. We 
believe these are — 
THE COMING ORNAMENTAL TREE 
Prices 
Size 
Each 
Per 10 
4 to S foot. 
. 40c 
$3.50 
5 to 6 foot. 
. 55c 
5.00 
6 to 8 foot. 
. 75 c 
7.00 
The Chinese Elm Makes a Good Hedge 
Page 59 
