some of the new growth on my chinese elm has sort of a brownish color.. after a few days/weeks of growth it turns normal green.. but it used to be lighter green. the tree seems to be growing fine.. I don't seem to be able to find anything about it which is why I'm asking here. is this normal? or is it some mineral deficiency or too much of something?

Tubaboy,

Some trees in the summer grow red/yellow new leaves (as a protection from the harsh sun), and here in Brazil this is not unusual.
After growing for a while, they turn "normal' green.
If this is what is happening to you, could be the expected behavior of the tree in summertime.

like I said, I see no other reason for concern.. new growth everywhere and they do eventually turn green.

Tubaboy, please read this excerpt:

“The Young and the Stressless
Tender, emerging leaves are at the mercy of an often hostile world. Insects wait to feast on them. Sunlight can parboil them. Diseases riddle them until they resemble lacework. One of the ways some plants protect their new leaves is with a healthy dose of anthocyanins. This temporary condition, called juvenile reddening, is usually most intense in leaves exposed to full sunlight. Part of this is because of that natural sunscreen function I mentioned.”

Chalker-Scott, Linda. How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do (Science for Gardeners) (p. 109). Timber Press. Kindle Edition.

I thought it might be that... but I thought I would also ask, just to be sure... the tree gets an entire afternoon of direct sunlight. so that would explain it.

Clicio wrote: Tubaboy,

Some trees in the summer grow red/yellow new leaves (as a protection from the harsh sun)

Yup, that is what it is.