American Elm (Ulmus americana)

Form

Large tree; height 80 to 90 feet; diameter 2 to 4 feet; main stem often branches into several large branches forming a crown with pendulous branches; crown vase-shaped and broadly rounded.

Bark

Thick, divided into irregular, broad, flat ridges; ash-gray to grayish brown.

Leaf

Alternate; length 4 to 6 inches; rather thick, somewhat one-sided; doubly toothed on margin, generally rough above, smooth below, veins very pronounced and run in parallel lines from mid-rib to edge of leaf.

Fruit

A samara; winged, light green, oval and wafer-like in appearance; seed portion in center surrounded entirely by wings; outer end of each wing deeply notched; seeds hang in clusters; ripen in spring; widely scattered by wind.

Range

Fairly common throughout state; found on rich bottomlands and low, moist hills throughout the state in mixture with other hardwoods.

Wood

Light brown, heavy, hard, strong, rough and difficult to split; used for furniture and veneer for baskets and crates.

Notes

Very susceptible to Dutch Elm disease; a few resistant hybrids have been developed.