American Elm Tree

Botanical name: Ulmus americana
Family: Ulmaceae

Click on images of American Elm to enlarge.

American Elm Tree Identification

A.K.A. water elm, white elm

  • native to eastern North America
  • deciduous
  • reaching 55-85′ (before dutch elm disease commonly reached well over 100′ in height)
  • tall arching, upright, vase shaped crown often without branches near the base of the tree 35′-65′ in width
  • trunk can be 3.5′-4′ in diameter
  • bark is deeply furrowed and light to dark grey in color
  • Broad, flat, simple leaf with double serrated (toothed) margins
  • uneven base on the leaf margin
  • alternate arrangement on stem and lacks a terminal bud
  • hermaphroditic – self pollinating flowers
  • produces single seeded, flat, circular samaras with hair-like edges
  • rapid growth rate
  • tolerant of many stress factors including temperatures in excess of -40F
  • grows naturally in bottom lands and wetter areas, although it is a highly adaptable tree
  • susceptible to both dutch elm disease and verticillium wilt
  • prune in late September to October
  • adaptable to alkaline 8.0 pH and acidic 5.1 pH soils
  • full to partial sun
  • zone 2-9