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'
- 'Jacqueline Hillier', 'Pendula', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jacqueline Hillier'
- 'Pendula'
weeping smooth leaf elm - 'Variegata'
- 'Jacqueline Hillier'
- 'Jacqueline Hillier', 'Pendula', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
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
