Ulmus
Common Name(s):
- Description
-
Elm trees are believed to have originated in Asia 20 million years ago and have spread over most of the Northern Hemisphere of North America and Eurasia. Unfortunately, the Dutch Elm Disease has devastated many of these stately trees in N. America and Europe. Cultivars are being developed that are resistant to the disease.
They can grow quite large with a vase shape and rounded top. Most prefer moist well-drained soils.
Other less problematic native trees are listed to the left
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Dutch elm disease has devastated the American elm tree and many in Europe. It is caused by a fungal pathogen, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi and is spread by the elm bark beetle.
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:
- 'Homestead'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Homestead'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ulmus
- Family:
- Ulmaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eurasia to Indo-China, Africa, and N. America
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Rounded
- Vase
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Description:
- Flat samaras come to a notched/ retuse apex. Some samaras have hair around them and are seen in the spring or summer. Generally, the ones without hairs are seen in the fall instead.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Inconspicuous small green flowers in spring.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, with simple, single or most commonly, doubly serrate margins, usually asymmetric at the base and acuminate at the apex. Non-showy fall color.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Green
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Patchy
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Bark gray, brown, or olive to reddish, tan, or orange, deeply furrowed, sometimes with plates (smooth when young)
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Stems brown and sometimes with corky wings. Twigs are glabrous to pubescent.
-
-
Landscape:
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
