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URBAN TREE OF THE YEAR 2012 Urban Tree of the Year By Len Phillips , ASLA Emeritus The Society of Municipal Arborists has chosen Accolade™,a hybrid selection of Japanese elm, Ulmus japonica x Wilson elm, U. wilsoniana as its 2012 Urban Tree of the Year. The Society of Municipal Arborists conducts the Urban Tree of the Year competi- tion every year to illustrate the importance of selecting the right tree for the right spot.The intent of this program is not to indicate that this is the perfect tree that can grow anywhere, but is to make arborists aware of this tree, and they should use it if they have a site suitable for it.The Urban Tree of the Year also provides extra pub- licity to excellent trees that need planting more often. Our cities often contain too many of the common maples and ash that are cheap, easy to grow and are short-lived. A quality urban tree is a better investment for the future of the city and the urban forest. Accolade is a hybrid elm with an attractive,upright spreading habit and shiny leaves that provide good fall color. Plus it is resistant to Dutch elm disease; is reminiscent of the American Elm,U.Americana; is excellent as a street tree or a shade tree for larger landscapes; and is very adaptable to adverse site conditions.Accolade is an introduction from The Morton Arboretum near Chicago, and introduced through the Chicagoland Grows Plant Introduction Program. Size and features Accolade will grow to be about 50 to 60 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 to 40 feet.The tree does not grow as large as the American elm. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and it should not be planted underneath power lines.The tree grows vigorously at first, gaining as much as 3 feet per year, but slows to less than half that rate with maturity. The original tree at The Morton Arboretum is noted for its resemblance to the American elm, its upright-arching branches creating the familiar vase shape. Accolade has dark-green, glossy leaves that turn gold colored in the fall.The bark, flowers and fruit have no ornamental value. Genetics and development Accolade began at The Morton Arboretum from open polli- nated seed of Japanese and Wilson elms received from the Arnold Arboretum in 1924. It was selected for its Dutch elm disease resistance, the vase-shaped form, vigorous growth, excellent drought tolerance, and good strong yellow fall color. Accolade is available from many local garden centers and nurseries. 6 Arbor Age / January/February 2012 Hardiness Accolade grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 8. It is slightly less hardy than the American elm and won't grow to be as tall or intimidating, but this may actually be an advantage in terms of general home landscape use. In artificial freezing tests at The Morton Arboretum, the LT50 (temp. at which 50% of tissues die) Accolade was found to meet the - 32 °F (- 35.5 °C) level. Pest and disease resistance Accolade has excellent disease resistance to both elm yellows and Dutch elm disease.The original tree, in its 80-plus years, has www.arborage.com Photos provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.