The Frontier Elm was developed in 1971 by A.M Townsend as a hybrid between a Lacebark Elm and a Smoothleaf Elm. Frontier Elms are medium sized trees with upright and vase shaped crowns which more closely resemble the shape of Allee Elm. They produce rich green and glossy foliage with serrated edges which turn to a surprising red-purple fall color which is not common for Elms which normally turn yellow. Another benefit of the Frontier Elms versus Lacebarks is that no seed production has been observed. Mature Frontier Elms do not have the smooth exfoliating bark that Lacebark Elms have; instead they produce rough and fissured light gray bark. It has also shown a high level of tolerance to Dutch Elm disease and a moderate tolerance to the elm leaf beetle.