Photo by 
Frank N. Meyers 
U. S. Horticulturist 
of 
CHINESE ELM 
in 
Pekin, China 
Said to be 
300 Years Old 
THE WEIGHT OF AUTHORITY 
The U. S. Dept, of Agriculture, in 1923 catalog of “Plant Introduction”, says: 
“The Chinese Elm is a medium sized tree remarkably resistant to drought, alkali, and se¬ 
vere extremes of temperature. It has proven exceptionally valuable as a shade tree in the 
semi-arid regions of the United States, where it has piade phenomenal growth. It also seems 
well adapted to the cold northern plains of this country. A remarkable tree which is recom¬ 
mended highly, especially for regions unsuited to most of the common shade trees.” 
Mr. Sr iitK, Mandan, writes: “I think the Chinese Elm tree is by far the best tree for this 
part of oux state. It greens quick, is a very pretty tree. Insects do not seem to bother as much 
as they do the Box Elder. I planted Silver Leaf Poplar, Diamond Willow, Box Elder but the 
Chinese Elm beats them all.” 
Mr. Austin, xiudyard, Mont., writes: “Our experience with the Chinese Elm has been very 
satisfactory. It is a very rapid grower, free from disease and insect pests, drought resistant 
and a most beautiful tree. Let it be remembered that this section of the country for the last 
six years or more has had an annual water fall of about 8 1-4 inches, but the Chinese Elms 
have stood the tests.” 
Leonard Barron, Editor, Counfry Life Magazine. “This Elm is growing now successfully 
in various parts of the country from the Pacific Coast, in the Great Plains section, through 
the Middlewest, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and up into New England, even on the 
very edge of the Atlantic Ocean. 
“In its own native region, and in Saskatchewan, it is said to withstand temperatures of 
40 degrees below zero, and at the same time going to the other extreme of enduring 120 de¬ 
grees above zero in Arizona.” 
Mr. Towle of the Sheridan Field writes: “The Chinese Elm has made about the most 
rapid growth of any of the trees planted here, and there has been very little loss with any of the 
plantings made. Leaves were not dropped at all in the fall of 1923, but there was no winter 
killing.” 
Mr. Tope, Fort Benton, Mont., writes: “We prize them very highly and I am sure you can¬ 
not say too much about them. They excell any other trees in this country without any ques¬ 
tion.” 
Mr. McDonald, Flatwillow, Mont., writes: “I have planted Poplar, Laurel Leaf Willow, 
Ash and Box Elder and the Chinese Elm have made the finest growth of all, and we had 
three dry years since I planted my first trees in 1916.” 
Mr. Chilcott, Supt. of the Experiment Station at Woodward, Okla., writes: “So far as I 
know it is the most rapid-growing and most graceful shade tree we have for the semi-arid 
southwest, and is free from insect and disease enemies and any pronounced bad qualities.” 
