The Chinese elm cultivar Ulmus parvifolia 'Pathfinder' was raised by A. M. Townsend of the USDA National Arboretum and registered in 1990.
The tree is of modest proportions, rarely reaching > 11 m in height, with a crown slightly less in diameter. The leaves are a glossy yellow-green, and variously described as turning 'grayish red' or 'brilliant red' in autumn. The trunk sports the typical mottled bark.
The species and its cultivars are highly resistant, but not immune, to Dutch elm disease, and unaffected by the elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola. However, tolerance of elm yellows in the USA was found to be poor.
'Pathfinder' is not known to be in cultivation beyond North America.