This genus of elms contains 25 to 30 species of trees to shrubs in the family Ulmaceae and is believed to have originated in Asia 20 million years ago, but has spread across most of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Eurasia. Unfortunately, the Dutch Elm Disease has devastated many of these trees in North America and Europe. Cultivars are being developed that are resistant to the disease. Even though the seedlings will grow, they eventually succumb to the disease. Most prefer moist well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Propagation is from seed or stem cuttings. They can grow quite large, up to 100 feet,, with a vase shape and rounded top. The insignificant spring flowers are followed by samaris in summer or spring depending on the species. Seedling will grow 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 developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
more than 60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in. | Width: 40 ft. 0 in. - 80 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect; Rounded; Vase
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate; Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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.
Flower color
Green
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Inconspicuous small green flowers in spring.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit detail
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.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray; Green; Light Brown; Light Gray; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Bark gray, brown, or olive to reddish, tan, or orange, deeply furrowed, sometimes with plates (smooth when young)
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Stems brown and sometimes with corky wings. Twigs are glabrous to pubescent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Eurasia to Indo-China, Africa, and N. America
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Samara
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#tsc-t #deciduous tree #disease problems #tsc #hortcontest #shade tree #full sun #street tree
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Smaller European Elm Bark Beetle; Elm Sawfly; Native Elm Bark Beetle; Larger Elm Leaf Beetle; Elm Lace Bug; Mourning Cloak Butterfly / Spiny Elm Caterpillar; Elm Leafminer; Elm-Grass Root Aphid; Elm Zigzag Sawfly; Common Insect Pests of Elm in North Carolina