Ulmus americana

• BOTANICAL NAME: Ulmus americana
• COMMON NAME: American Elm
• FAMILY: Ulmaceae
• NATIVITY: Found throughout the East coast and as far west as the Rockies.
• GROWTH HABIT: 60-80’ Tall, spreading tree, thick trunk
• HARDINESS:  USDA Zone 3 to 9
• OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS:  Commonly found in rich woodlands, ravines, and lowlands; perfers full sun and moist soils.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:  Seral
• FACULTATIVE STATUS: Facultative Wetland
• LANDSCAPE VALUE:  This used to be a common landscaped lawn tree.  Still admired for it’s grandeur size and yellow fall color.
• FOLIAGE:   Alternate, simple, oblong-obovate, serrated edge, pubescent or almost glabrous.  Turns to yellow in fall.
• BUDS:  Imbricately scaled, ovate-conical shape.  No terminal bud.  Flower buds are stout and much larger.
• BARK:  Dark gray, deep furrows and scaled patches overlapping each other.
• FRUIT:  Rounded samaras that are notched, flowers are perfect, and in fascicles of 3 or 4 in early spring.
• PESTS:  Dutch elm disease