Single plant selection originating from within a Harbin, China seed source grown for over 30 years at the NDSU Dale E. Herman Research Arboretum. This selection has been fully hardy in USDA hardiness zone 4. Based on regional experience with the species and seed origin should be fully hardy throughout zone 3 and possibly into zone 2b of the Agriculture Canada hardiness zone map. Growing in a full sod condition for its length of evaluation, Northern Empress has reached a height of approximately 26 feet with a 20 food canopy spread making it ideal for limited space landscapes and possibly for use under power lines and near other overhead structures. Mature height may exceed this in other areas of the country but overall it is a smaller, more compact elm selection. Based on grafting trials, Northern Empress has reproduced reduced growth with shorter internodes that the species. Structural branching is open and widely spaced which eliminates the narrow branch angle problems associated with several of the recently selected and available hybrid elm cultivars. Branch terminals are not excessively twiggy and are not prone to twig drop. Mature plant form is a rounded crown. Foliage is an excellent medium green color throughout the summer showing no signs of chlorosis on a soil pH exceeding 8. Black leaf spot of elm is present in the NDSU elm collection and only minimally affects Northern Empress if al all while other cultivars may be severely affected. Japanese elm has an inherent resistance to elm leaf beetles and Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Seed production has been very light and is not considered to be a negative maintenance issue. Autumn coloration on Northern Empress occurs later than other Japanese elms in the collection by one to two weeks and highlights one of its standout attributes. Rather than the standard yellow fall coloration of most elm species including Japanese elm, Northern Empress gradually progresses from an apricot-orange color to an attractive burgundy-red, which is quite striking at its peak. This is only the second elm cultivar that has fall coloration other than yellow. Frontier Elm (Ulmus (carpinifolia x parvifolia) ‘Frontier’) has similar fall color to Northern Empress, but is not reliably hardy in zone 4 and has more of an upright-pyramidal form. Propagation is by side grafting or chip budding onto Ulmus pumila rootstocks, and possibly by semi-hardwood cuttings. Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 3-6 Mature Size: Height: 28', Spread: 24' Form (Shape): Rounded open crown Growth Rate: Medium Foliage: Deciduous, leaves are smaller in size than American elm. Summer: Medium green. Autumn: Advancing fall color changing from an apricot-orange to burgundy-red before leaf drop. Texture: Medium Flower: Non showy, perfect, appearing before foliage emergence in early spring. Fruit: Winged samara brown in color when ripe. Light Preferences: Full sun Soil Preferences: Well drained soils, pH adaptable and tolerant of higher pH soils. Northern Empress® has shown moderate to good drought tolerance. Propagation: Grafting, tissue culture or softwood cuttings. Insects and Diseases: Minimally affected by black leaf spot of elm. Inherent resistance to elm leaf beetles and Dutch Elm Disease (DED). Ornamental Attributes: Northern Empress® Japanese Elm is a unique, small statured elm selection hardy into UDSA climatic zone 3 with excellent dependable burgundy red fall coloration, unusual among hardy elm cultivars. Landscape Attributes: Recommended for use as a small to medium sized ornamental tree in urban landscape planting areas. This is especially relevant where available space or overhead power lines are a concern and where hardiness of other elm cultivars may be an issue. Comments: Northern Empress® Japanese Elm adds a useful elm cultivar to diversify the availability of elm selections returning to the landscape. Patent Status: