Summary ³

Ulmus americana, generally known as the American elm or, less commonly, as the white elm or water elm, is a species native to eastern North America, naturally occurring from Nova Scotia west to Alberta and Montana, and south to Florida and central Texas. The American elm is an extremely hardy tree that can withstand winter temperatures as low as −42 °C (−44 °F). Trees in areas unaffected by Dutch elm disease can live for several hundred years.

Description ⁴

Family:
Ulmaceae (Elm)

Height:
60 to 125 feet at maturity

Habit:
Single-stemmed tree; Spreading, vase-shaped crown; DBH up to 4’; Fast growing

Leaves:
Leaves (up to 5¾” long and 3½” wide) are dark green, alternately attached, coarsely toothed, and generally ovate in shape, with a pointed tip and an asymmetrical base.

Bark:
Youngest bark is brown, gradually turning gray and splitting into flaky plates with brown patches visible between. Oldest bark is deeply furrowed, creating an interlacing diamond pattern.

Flower:
Floral buds are brown with reddish scales, round with a pointed tip, and slightly hairy. Buds develop into clusters of 5-15 dangling, pom pom-like, greenish-red, petalless flowers (individual flowers up to ⅛” across). Individual flowers have 6-9 white stamens with red or black tips, and a single feathery cream-colored pistil with a divided head.

Fruit:
Light green seeds (up to ½” across), known as samaras, are flat, round, and winged, with a notched tip and a dense fringe of white hairs around the margin and. Seeds become papery in texture and tan or cream-colored (occasionally reddish) with maturity.

Bloom time:
March-May

Fall color:
Golden yellow

Nicknames:
White Elm, Gray Elm, Soft Elm, Water Elm

Habitat:
American Elm grows in full sun to partial shade, typically in moist to well-drained, fertile, loamy soils; however it also tolerates drier conditions and a range of other soil types, as well as flooding during the winter. It is commonly found in floodplains, savannas, deciduous forests, upland areas of swamps, fencerows, roadsides, and along rivers and streams.

Wildlife Benefits:
Seeds and buds are a food source for many species of gamebirds and songbirds, as well as for chipmunks and squirrels. Foliage is a food source for many species of caterpillars and beetles, as well as for deer and rabbits. Flowers are a minor source of pollen for bees. Preferred host plant for several species of aphids and leafhoppers. Provides nesting habitat for many species of birds, including the Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula). Wood frequently used by beavers. Source of sap for the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius).

Notes:
This species is highly susceptible to the invasive Dutch Elm Disease (DED), as well as Elm Phloem Necrosis, often resulting in shortened lifespan if not treated.

References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/american-elm
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/am_elm.html
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ulmus-americana/

Range ⁴

Sources and Credits

1. (c) yaoshawn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by yaoshawn
2. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, all rights reserved, uploaded by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
3. Adapted by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_americana
4. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

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