Tree highlight: American elm
American elm
Ulmus americana (Family Ulmaceae)
American elm trees were very common street trees before the Dutch elm disease.
The basics
American elm is a tall, fast-growing deciduous tree with a graceful, spreading canopy. It is native to eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada to Florida and west to the Great Plains. American elm is sometimes called ‘white elm,’ ‘gray elm,’ ‘water elm,’ or ‘soft elm.’ Its 3-6 inch leaves are oval shaped with doubly serrated edges (or “margins”) and hairs on the upper surface; this last feature is important, as it helps distinguish American elm from slippery elm (U. rubra), whose leaves are hairy on both sides. American elm was once the most iconic street tree in the USA, admired for its elegant vase-like shape, sweeping branches, and deep green leaves. Since the 1960s, its numbers have sharply declined due to Dutch Elm Disease, a lethal condition caused by an exotic fungus. The spread of the disease led to the loss of millions of American elms, and urban tree canopies especially were hard hit. However, disease resistant cultivars are now available and the species is making a comeback.
Did you know?
- American elm was once such a common street tree in American cities and towns that it earned the nickname “Main Street Tree.”
- American elm seeds, called samaras, mature and drop in spring; this differs from most trees that disperse their seeds in autumn.
Elm samaras mature and drop in Spring.
Elms bloom early compared to other trees, making them easy to identify.
Wildlife
- Elms flower before most other plants, providing a key source of pollen and nectar for early-season pollinators.
- American elm supports a wide variety of insects, including caterpillars of butterflies and moths, which support bird populations.
- Seeds, buds, and flowers are eaten by birds and small mammals, including mice, squirrels, and rabbits.
Uses
- Historically planted in parks, cemeteries, and along urban boulevards for shade, beauty, and its iconic silhouette.
- Elm wood is tough and shock-resistant, making it a favorite for high-wear products like furniture and veneer.
- Indigenous peoples used American elm bark for medicinal teas and poultices (a soft, moist mass of material placed on the skin to reduce inflammation or infection).
- Additionally, its strong, interlocking grain made it ideal for canoes and tools.
American elm wood has many uses for furniture, tools, and medicine.
Benefits
Over a 20-year period, a healthy American elm with a diameter of 15 inches will offset 9,872 car miles worth of CO2, absorb enough stormwater to fill 573 bathtubs, and remove an amount of pollution from the air – in gaseous and particulate form – equivalent in weight to 49 smartphones! Learn more at: https://mytree.itreetools.org/
Learn more
Tree of the Week Video
By University of Kentucky Forestry and Natural Resources Extension
Click to watchContact us: ufi@uky.edu
Images sourced from forestyimages.org
