The American Elm cultivar Ulmus americana 'Princeton' was originally selected in 1922 by New Jersey nurseryman William Flemer of Princeton Nurseries for its aesthetic merit.

[10] Princeton elms planted in North America are highly prone to leaf damage by Japanese beetles Popillia japonica.

[11] Trees grown in the UK have also proven very susceptible to damage by leaf-feeding insects, far more so than native or Asiatic elms.

[12] Trees grown in northern California at UC Davis became infested with leaf curling aphids (Eriosoma), producing copious amounts of honeydew.

[17] The tree was introduced to the UK by Penelope Hobhouse, who obtained two specimens from the New York Botanical Gardens for planting at her family home, Hadspen, in Somerset.

In 2005, 50 'Princeton' were planted by The Prince of Wales to create the Anniversary Avenue at his residence Highgrove House, however all the trees were removed and burnt in 2012 after five died of DED.