American Elm Tree Seeds 'Princeton' | (Ulmus americana)
American Elm Tree Seeds 'Princeton' | (Ulmus americana)
The tree that defined American streets. Now resistant. Now coming back.
Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’, the Princeton American Elm, is the disease-resistant selection that gave the most iconic street tree in American history a second chance. Before Dutch elm disease reshaped the landscape, American Elms formed arching canopies over streets and campuses across the country. The Princeton variety, selected in New Jersey and proven in plantings for over 80 years, restores that form with resilience built in. This is the elm that brings the canopy back.
- Disease-resistant selection with decades of proven performance
- Classic vase-shaped canopy reaching 60–120 feet in spread
- Fast-growing native hardwood that establishes quickly
- Highly adaptable to urban stress, flooding, and poor soils
- Supports over 200 species of native insects and wildlife
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It once defined entire cities.
American Elms formed continuous canopy over streets so dense that aerial photos showed entire neighborhoods shaded beneath a single green roof.
This variety predates the problem it solves.
Princeton Nurseries began selecting superior elms in the early 1900s, and this variety has been evaluated for over a century for form, vigor, and disease resistance.
The disease changed America overnight.
Dutch elm disease arrived in the late 1920s and killed tens of millions of trees, permanently altering the look of American towns and cities.
Some elms never fell.
A handful of American Elms, including the Hangman’s Elm in New York City, have survived centuries and multiple disease outbreaks.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’
- Stratification: Not required; sow fresh as seeds ripen in spring
- USDA Zones: 2–9
- Soil: Extremely adaptable; tolerates wet, clay, and poor soils
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 60–100 feet
- Spread: 60–120 feet
- Growth Rate: Fast (3–6 ft/year)
Plant one where a great tree once stood. The street has been waiting since the 1970s.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. They are stored under dry, cold conditions to preserve viability without initiating stratification, allowing you to time germination for your local growing season.
The exception is recalcitrant seeds. Because these seeds must remain moist to stay viable, they are kept in moist, cold storage and are therefore in a pre-stratified state. Depending on how long a particular batch has been stored, some may arrive with an emerging radicle and be ready to plant immediately. Radicle development is not guaranteed.
Please refer to the individual product page and included growing instructions for species-specific requirements.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes. Some species we offer, including Chestnut, Hazelnut, and Paw Paw, are recalcitrant and must remain moist to stay viable.
Please refrigerate these seeds immediately upon arrival unless they have already developed a radicle. Seeds with an emerging radicle should be planted promptly.
Do you ship internationally?
No. We currently ship within the United States only.
We previously shipped to Canada, but tariffs, duties, and import fees resulted in customers receiving significant and unpredictable additional charges upon delivery. Because we cannot reliably calculate or absorb these costs, we have suspended shipping to Canada.
At this time, we do not ship to Canada or other international destinations.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
• Hand-packed in resealable kraft paper seed bags
• Stratification and planting instructions included on every seed pack
• Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS within the United States and U.S. territories
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
If your order arrives damaged, contains incorrect items, or is missing items, please contact us within 7 days of delivery so we can resolve the issue.
