Slippery Elm  Ulmus ruba

Characteristics

Leaves: Simple, alternate, oval blades with ridged edges forming a point at the tip, grow to about 7 inches in length and 4 inches wide, have a sandpapery, course, green upper surface, underside is either smooth or fuzzy; base is highly asymmetrical; stalks are fuzzy, and grow to 1/2 inch in length. 

Flower: Small, green, droopy, fuzzy clusters, present before leaves appear.

Fruit: Winged, oval, and contains one seed, width of up to 3/4 of an inch, seed has hairs covering it and wings surrounding it.

Twig:Sturdy, thick, reddish-brown in color, contains small gray hairs on the surface; alternate, half-moon shaped leaf scars with 3 trace bundles.

Bud: Circular, can grow up to 1/4 of an inch in size with rust colored small hairs. 

Bark: Reddish-brown or gray in color, lightly furrowed; center of the bark becomes slick when chewed.

Form: Top of tree is often round or sometimes flat, growth usually is 80 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Habitat: Varied habitat, bottomland forest, near creeks, rocky & highland forests.

Range: From southern Florida and Texas to North Dakota and Quebec and Ontario, Canada. 

Wood Description & Use: Durable, dense, dark brown in color; used for posts for fences, farm structures, and building ships. 

Distinguishing Features: The roughness of the leaves feel like sandpaper.  It has a strongly asymmetrical base.

Location: Greenup, Illinois

Sources:  Mohlenbrock, Robert.  (N.D.).  Forest Trees of Illinois.  Springfield, IL:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

© 2003 Cumberland High School. Lauren H. & Becky 

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

Link to Native Trees of Illinois Index Page