Tested in the US National Elm Trial coordinated by Colorado State University, [5] 'Frontier' averaged a survival rate of 74% after 10 years.

[1] 'Frontier' develops a vase or pyramidal shape, with glossy green foliage turning, unusually for elms, to burgundy in autumn.

[10] In trials in eastern Arizona [7], 'Frontier' and another American hybrid, 'Regal', were found to have the highest tolerance of the hot and arid climate, notably exhibiting minimal leaf scorch.

[11] 'Frontier' fared better in 10-year trials at Atherton, California, to evaluate replacements for Californian elms lost to disease: "Strong structure, rapid growth rate, attractive leaf color in spring and fall, and relatively low pruning requirement suggest that Frontier has promise...",[12] although the tree again proved only moderately tolerant of elm leaf beetles.

'Frontier' has had a limited introduction to Europe,[13] where it is largely restricted to arboreta and elm collections; it also featured in trials in New Zealand during the 1990s at the Hortresearch station, Palmerston North.