American Elm

Ulmus americana

Size: 3 Gallon Availability

Tree
Max size: 80’ tall x 40’ wide
Average size: 60′ tall x 30′ wide

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Clay, Loam, Sand
Sun, Part Shade
No Salt Tolerance

AKA: Common Elm, Gray Elm, Soft Elm, Water Elm, White Elm

This deciduous tree has a yellow fall color and gets inconspicuous blooms in early spring. The seeds it creates are inedible and brown. It makes a great shade tree and it is tolerant of root disturbance. It grows well in floodplains and as a street canopy. It is susceptible to Dutch Elm disease. It is a larval host for Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), (Polygonia interrogationis), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).

It is an important and useful wood; used in agricultural implements, baskets, shipbuilding, cabinets, car construction, fuel, tool handles, trunks, woodenware, and more. The inner bark yields fibers useful for making dog sled harnesses, matting, nets, shoelaces, and more. The bark makes a tea that is useful in quenching thirst; bark is generally edible and useful in various cooking situations. The most frequent medical use is making use of the bark to treat wounds, burns, inflammation, and other skin problems, typically by mashing the bark into a poultice.