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. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
