The Chinese Elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Prairie Shade' is an American clone selected in 1973 in Oklahoma by Carl E. Whitcomb and Gary G. Hickman of Oklahoma State University, from a trial planting of 800 lacebark elms.^[1]

The tree, distinguished by its strong central leader and upright growth when young, slowly becomes more spreading with age.^[2] Specimens grown from cuttings attain about 9 m tall and 6 m wide aged 7 years. The dark green and leathery leaves of 'Prairie Shade' are smaller than the species type.^[1]

The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and unaffected by the Elm Leaf Beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola.^[3]

Whitcomb and Hickman reported that during the severe winter of 1983-84, 'Prairie Shade' was unharmed by temperatures of -22°C and -35°, where 'Drake' and 'Sempervirens' were severely damaged; and that 'Prairie Shade' had "performed well" in Lubbock, Texas; Guymon, Oklahoma; and Dodge City and Manhattan, Kansas. "To date, no wind or ice damage has occurred to any of the specimens. On 22 April 1984 the 7 m specimen in Manhattan, Kansas, was bent to a height of only 2 m during a severe ice storm without breakage and with complete recovery."^[1] 'Prairie Shade' was, however, found to produce an unusually high quantity of fertile seed, considered an undesirable feature.^[1] The tree is not known to be in cultivation beyond North America.

• 
  Carl Whitcomb's elms, Stillwater, Oklahoma^[4]

None known.