American Elm Ulmus americana L.

Characteristics

Leaves: alternate, simple; leaf blades are oval to elliptical in shape, pointy tips, asymmetrical base, up to 6 inches in length and 3 inches wide, coarse and doubly serrated on the outer edges, top surface is slick and dark green, underside is lighter and smooth or fuzzy; short, yellow leaf stalks.

Flowers: hanging groups of 3-4 small flowers, present before the leafs appear, greenish-red, fuzzy.

Fruit: oval in shape with wings, grows to one-half inch in length, hairy edges, each wing notched at top and encloses a central seed.

Twig: thin and brown, smooth or slightly hairy, zigzag; alternating leaf scars, half-moon shaped  with 3 bundle traces.

Bark: varying shades of gray, furrows are present, when mature, bark divides into thin plates.

Buds: wide and oval in shape, reddish-brown in color, slick or slightly hairy, length up to 1/4 of an inch..

Form: Grows to 80 feet in height; width of trunk grows to 4 feet; has round, wide crown that occasionally has a flat top; branches usually droop.

Habitat: lowland, wet wooded areas near water sources.

Range: North to Nova Scotia reaching southern Manitoba, ranging south to central Texas, across to south-central Florida.

Wood description and uses: heavy, durable, light brown in color; used for flooring, farm structures, building ships; often planted as ornamental or used for shade, susceptible to Dutch Elm disease & phloem necrosis. 

Distinguishing features: doesn't have corky wings on branchlets like the Winged Elm & Rock Elm have, has fairly smooth leaves and doesn't have rusty-colored hairs present on its buds like the Slippery Elm has, has asymmetrical leaves unlike the Siberian Elm, differs from Hackberry by not having 3 main veins branching from the base of the leaf.

Location: Greenup, IL. (Cumberland High School)

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

(c) 2002-2003 Cumberland High School. Davida P

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

Link to Native Trees of Illinois index page