American Elm
Ulmus americana · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Ulmaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Species type (wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9
About This Tree
Large deciduous tree known for its classic vase-like or umbrella-shaped crown with arching limbs, dense canopy, and fast to moderate growth rate
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple leaves measuring 3 to 6 inches long, oval-oblong with sharply serrated margins, asymmetrical base, and prominently veined texture, turning yellow in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray to brownish-gray, deeply furrowed with interlacing flat-topped ridges, often showing alternating light and dark layers when cross-sectioned
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Alberta, and south to Florida and Texas
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring, flowers in very early spring before leaves appear, produces winged samaras in mid-spring, drops leaves in late autumn after turning yellow
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun to partial shade; requires moist, well-drained soils but tolerates occasional flooding and moderate drought once established
Mature Size
Mature height of 60 to 80 feet with an equal or greater spread, growing at a medium-to-fast rate with a lifespan that can exceed 100 to 200 years barring disease
Special Characteristics
Notable for its graceful vase-shaped form and historical popularity as an urban street tree, though heavily impacted by Dutch elm disease
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides crucial food and nesting habitat for various birds, mammals, and insect pollinators, serving as a larval host for several butterfly species