Ulmus Morton Glossy – Triumph™ Elm

Botanical Name: Ulmus Morton Glossy

The Triumph Elm (Ulmus ‘Morton Glossy’) is a large deciduous tree with a symmetrical canopy and a vase-shape growth habit. This cultivar was developed in the Morton Arboretum in Illinois in the Chicagoland Grows® program. It is a cross between the Accolade™ Elm and the Vanguard™ Elm.

This elm is prized for its use as a shade tree. Its branches sweep upwards and then arch gracefully down towards the ground. It grows to a height of 50-60 feet with a spread of 35-40 feet and can live up to 90 years or more.

The leaves of the Triumph Elm are oval shaped and a shiny, dark green. They measure 4 inches long and 2 inches wide with finely toothed edges. They have the asymmetrical leaf base typical of elm leaves. This tree is one of the first elms to leaf out in the spring and one of the first to lose its leaves in the fall. The leaves turn a vibrant yellow-orange.

The flowers of the Triumph Elm are inconspicuous – like most elm trees. The fruits are winged samaras that mature in April. The bark is an attractive gray with vertical ridges and furrows.

This elm tree provides shelter to migratory birds. It is also highly tolerant of pollution and grows well in urban sites – moist and dry.  It has excellent resistance to Dutch Elm disease and the elm leaf beetle.