The Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is one of the most versatile and attractive shade trees for San Antonio. Its exfoliating bark creates a beautiful mosaic of gray, green, orange, and brown, and its vase-shaped canopy provides excellent filtered shade. Disease-resistant and fast-growing. Alfaro Tree Sales grows Lacebark Elms at our 40-acre Atascosa nursery.
The Lacebark Elm’s bark exfoliates in small patches to reveal a stunning mosaic of colors — gray, green, orange, and brown — creating year-round visual interest that gets more beautiful with age.
Two excellent SA elms — one native, one adapted.
Expected height after planting a 4” caliper tree (16–20 ft at install).
Deep water 2–3×/week for the first season. Drought-tolerant once established with occasional deep soaking in summer.
Adapts to any soil type including SA’s alkaline clay. Balanced fertilizer in early spring after year 1.
Structural pruning when young for good branch spacing. Prune in late winter. The vase shape develops naturally with minimal guidance.
October through March is ideal. One of the most transplant-tolerant shade trees available.
Choose your tree at our nursery or by phone. We deliver it to your property.
Machine-dug hole, native soil backfill, deep watering, and mulch ring installed.
Written care instructions plus a 30-day establishment check from our crew.
Lacebark Elms grow 2–3 feet per year in San Antonio, providing usable shade within 5–7 years of planting.
Yes — Lacebark Elms are highly resistant to Dutch elm disease and most other elm diseases. They’re one of the healthiest elm species.
Yes — their exfoliating bark creates a beautiful mosaic of gray, green, orange, and brown that improves with age.
Semi-evergreen in San Antonio. They hold most of their small leaves through mild winters and may drop them briefly in cold winters.
October through March is ideal. Very transplant-tolerant.
We offer Lacebark Elms from younger trees to large specimens. Field-grown at our nursery in Atascosa. Call (210) 202-4284.
Yes. Professional delivery and planting across the SA metro. Request a free quote.
Excellent. Their upright-spreading form, disease resistance, and tolerance of urban conditions make them one of the best street and parking lot trees for San Antonio.
