Princeton Elm
Princeton is a true American elm that was actually selected for “superior horticultural qualities” prior to the DED epidemic (Stennes, 2003). This tree is slightly more upright than many of the seedling American elms around and it is this habit that requires much more attention to pruning during formative years as side branches develop quickly and may become included or dysfunctional very quickly. Outbreaks of Japanese beetles will result in heavy feeding on most young American elms, including Princeton and Valley Forge. Long-term effects of this feeding are currently unknown for our region. Other areas in the USA report recovery after a new flush of foliage. Princeton is not patented and can be legally propagated by anyone! In propagation studies at the U of MN, this tree is quite easy to clone using summer softwood cuttings. This tree received a lot of press coverage in 2007 and since has seen wider availability at a major home-improvement store locally. Like most American elms, young Princetons will require a heavy dose of structural pruning to establish good form.