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Field Elm Ulmus minor

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ulmus carpinifolia
  • Ulmus procera
Phonetic Spelling
ULM-us MY-nor
Description

A medium-sized fast-growing riparian tree in the elm family. It needs full sun and is adaptable to a wide range of soil and pH types including salt, but prefers moist fertile soils with good drainage. It can withstand wet soil conditions. The mature shape is oval with a straight trunk and slender ascending branches. Best if pruned in September to October.

Smoothleaf Elm is not resistant to Dutch elm disease and elm leaf beetles and is rarely offered in the nursery trade.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Jacqueline Hillier'
  • 'Pendula'
    weeping smooth leaf elm
  • 'Variegata'
'Jacqueline Hillier', 'Pendula', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#riparian#street tree#furniture wood#fast growing#deciduous tree#dendrology#wet soils tolerant#disease problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Jacqueline Hillier'
  • 'Pendula'
    weeping smooth leaf elm
  • 'Variegata'
'Jacqueline Hillier', 'Pendula', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#deciduous#shade tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#salt tolerant#riparian#street tree#furniture wood#fast growing#deciduous tree#dendrology#wet soils tolerant#disease problems
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ulmus
    Species:
    minor
    Family:
    Ulmaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Wood is used to make furniture, flooring and for firewood. Its water resistance makes it a good choice for shipbuilding and underwater construction projects.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Central Asia, Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 70 ft. 0 in. - 90 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Oval
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Pale green flat papery samara notched at the top with one seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Winter
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous flowers in winter. Has separate male and female flowers on the same tree
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Doubly Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Oblong to elliptical 2"-5" long and 1"-3" wide acuminate with doubly serrate margins. Modest yellow fall color.
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Bark Description:
    The bark of the trunk is rough, furrowed lightly in older trees to form a block pattern
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Surface:
    Corky Ridges
    Stem Description:
    Some branches have corky warts. Red-brown to black winter buds, short to ovoid, pubescent.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Street Tree
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Pollution
    Salt
    Wet Soil