Elm trees are an important shade trees to plant in the United States along city streets and to shade the homeowner. The elm trees are very popular for planting along overheated asphalt and concrete streets, and the cold hardiness of the American Elm makes that selection a choice one. The extremely fast growing Chinese Elm is the top choice for the average homeowner who wants shade in a hurry and is the most important of the elms to plant by landscapers commercially.
The Drake Elm is commonly used by municipal and urban areas as a very adaptable street tree, because of the beautiful foliage, the umbrella looking canopy, and the distinctive peeling chocolate colored bark.