Ulmus ‘Accolade’ is a cross of Chinese and Japanese species resistant to Dutch Elm Disease (EDE). Before DED wiped out most of the Elms, the main street in my hometown was lined with Elm trees, creating a shaded canopy. We had an Elm in my front yard until a few years back. Each year another limb would succumb to disease. My Dad pruned that tree until there was nothing but one main limb. It finally had to be removed completely.
The NJ Tree Foundation planted these Accolade Elms 4 years ago in Liberty State Park, Jersey City.
Liberty State Park is my litmus test for tree urban tolerance. If a tree survives in the Park, it can tolerate horrible “soil”, drought and lack of drainage. As you can see, the Accolade Elms are not only surviving, they are thriving!