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Weeping Wych Elm Ulmus glabra 'Horizontalis'

Phonetic Spelling
ULM-us GLAY-bruh
Description

Tabletop elm is a sport of its parent found as a seeding in a plant nursery in Perth, Scotland in 1816. It is grafted to the species rootstock.

Tabletop elm is a small tree with horizontal branches and weeping branchlets.  It prefers full sun in moist, well-drained loam but is adaptable to other soil types. Unfortunately, it is highly susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease like its parent.

Use as a specimen or small shade tree. It can still be found for sale but be aware of its problems with diseases. See some native alternatives to the left.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Dutch Elm Disease, elm bark beetle, elm leaf minor to name a few. See diseases of elms to the left.

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

More information on Ulmus glabra.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape :
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#arching#deciduous#shade tree#street tree#wind tolerant#disease problems#full sun#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#dutch elm disease
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#weeping#arching#deciduous#shade tree#street tree#wind tolerant#disease problems#full sun#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#dutch elm disease
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ulmus
    Species:
    glabra
    Family:
    Ulmaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 65 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 22 ft. 3 in. - 60 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a one-seeded winged fruit 3/4 - 1 inch long, borne on a short stalk. Fruits are flat, pale green, hairless, with a notch at the tip and are borne in dense clusters.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    tiny pale green flowers with no petals borne in clusters in early spring before the leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-6 inch long leaves are short-stalked and oval with a pointed tip and asymmetrical base.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    The bark is grey and smooth and develops rugged vertical grooves with age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Horizontal branches with weeping branchlets
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Design Feature:
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Wet Soil
    Wind
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems