American Elm
Ulmus americana · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Ulmaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree and Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type, native wild form
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9
About This Tree
The American Elm is renowned for its graceful, vase-shaped form and high-arching branches that create a cathedral-like canopy overhead. It features a dense canopy of lush green foliage and a relatively fast growth rate.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves with doubly serrate margins, asymmetrical leaf bases, and prominent parallel veins. They turn a vibrant yellow in autumn.
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray bark with deep, intersecting ridges and furrows, often displaying distinct alternating light and dark layers when cross-sectioned.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Eastern and central North America
Growing Season
Spring leaf-out and early flowering, summer foliage, autumn dormancy with golden-yellow color change
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils, though it exhibits good adaptability to various soil types and moderate drought conditions once established.
Mature Size
Typically reaches 60 to 80 feet in height with a comparable or wider spread, maintaining a fast growth rate and a lifespan that can exceed a century in ideal conditions.
Special Characteristics
Historically prized as an urban street tree due to its pollution tolerance and shade canopy, though vulnerable to Dutch elm disease.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides important nesting sites and cover for numerous bird species, and serves as a larval host for several butterfly species.