American Elm
Ulmus americana · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Ulmaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (non-cultivar depicted)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2 through 9; extremely hardy and adaptable to a wide range of climates and urban conditions.
About This Tree
Large, majestic deciduous tree known for its distinctive vase-shaped canopy with spreading, arching branches that often weep at the tips. The crown is typically broad and rounded, providing dense shade. It has a fast growth rate when young and becomes a dominant canopy tree at maturity.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves; roughly 3-6 inches long; oval to oblong shape with an asymmetrical (uneven) base; doubly serrated margins; dark green and lustrous with a sandpaper-like texture on top, turning golden-yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray and thick; deeply furrowed with intersecting ridges that form a diamond-like or 'X' pattern; corky in texture; when cut, shows alternating light and dark layers.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Central and Eastern North America; native from Alberta to Nova Scotia, south to Florida and Texas.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; inconspicuous flowers appear before foliage in early spring; seeds (samaras) mature in spring and drop; enters dormancy in late autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade; high water needs initially but relatively adaptable; prefers moist, well-drained loams but can tolerate occasional flooding.
Mature Size
Mature height of 60-80 feet (sometimes over 100 feet) with a spread of 40-75 feet; growth rate is medium to fast; can live several hundred years if protected from disease.
Special Characteristics
Historically famous as the quintessential American street tree; high tolerance for wind and salt; however, highly susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease (DED) which has decimated populations in the last century.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical nesting sites for birds like Baltimore orioles; larvae of several butterfly species (e.g., Question Mark, Eastern Comma) feed on foliage; seeds are consumed by songbirds, squirrels, and small mammals.