Small Leaf Elm Ulmus alata

Ulmus alata, or Winged Elm, is a deciduous tree that may grow 40 to 60 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet in diameter. When grown in an open site, it has a short bole with branches arching upward to form a rounded crown. In a forested site, the tree tends to grow taller and straighter. In nature, it can be found in rock outcrops, dry wooded areas, fields, and disturbed areas. 

Winged Elm prefers full to partial sun and moist to dry conditions, but it tolerates different soil types, including those that contain, loam, clay, sand, or rocky material. The fertility of the soil and moisture determine the ultimate size of this tree. Use regular pruning of young trees to eliminate multiple trunks.

The leaves are alternate with a doubly toothed margin and unequal base. In fall, the leaves turn yellow. The bark is red-brown to ashy gray with flat-topped ridges that are separated by irregular fissures. In late winter, small red flowers mature in clusters. The tree produces a 1/4- to 1/2-inch flattened samara with a hairy margin.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  

Insect problems include beetles, borers, caterpillars, leaf miners, and scale. Particularly susceptible to Dutch Elm disease (a fatal fungal disease spread by beetles with no effective cure), powdery mildew,  phloem necrosis, cankers, and leaf spots can be problems, especially on stressed trees.

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