Leaf:  Alternate, simple, thin, in two rows; blades oval to elliptic, pointed at the tip, base rounded and strongly asymmetrical, 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) long and about half as wide; coarsely doubly saw-toothed along the edges, the upper surface dark green and usually smooth or only slightly rough, the lower surface paler and either softly hairy or smooth; center midrib with many straight parallel side veins; leafstalks very short, usually yellow; turning bright yellow in autumn.

Flower:  In drooping clusters of 3 to 4, appearing before the leaves unfold, greenish to greenish-red, hairy, small, 1/8 inch (3 mm) wide. 

Fruit:  Oval, winged fruits (samaras) up to 1/2 inch (12 mm) long, hairy along wing edges, each wing deeply notched at the top with points curved inward; surrounding a single central seed; long-stalked; maturing in early spring.

Twig:  Brown, slender, smooth or sparsely hairy, often zigzag; leaf scars alternate, half-round, each with 3 bundle traces. 

Bark:  Light or dark gray, furrowed, at maturity breaking into thin plates or broad, forking, scaly ridges.

Form:  Large, graceful tree up to 80 feet (24 m) tall; trunk diameter up to 4 feet, often with enlarged buttresses at base, usually forked into many spreading branches, drooping at ends; crown broadly rounded or sometimes flat-topped or vaselike; often wider than tall. 

Discussion

Though populations of American elm were devastated by the Dutch elm disease, caused by a fungus that was accidentally introduced on shipments of logs about 1930 and spread by European and native elm bark beetles, the American elm has managed to persist and survive in small numbers throughout its native range.  Some members of the species may possess a natural tolerance to disease-causing fungus. For many people the American elm is a reminder of the way hundreds of cities and towns across America looked throughout the first half of the twentieth century.

The wood is heavy and strong, traditionally useful for flooring, farm implements, shipbuilding, containers, furniture, and paneling.  The inner bark is tough and can be twisted into fibers and made into a rope.  Native Americans used various parts of elm for the treatment of numerous ailments and diseases ranging from broken bones and gunshot wounds to diarrhea and coughs.

American elm provides good shade and can be used as an ornamental, though individuals may still be susceptible to Dutch elm disease and a syndrome called phloem necrosis.  It is fast-growing and tends to arch gracefully over the street, giving neighborhoods an "old-time" appearance.

Distinguishing Characteristics

American Elm may be distinguished from the winged elm and the rock elm by its lack of corky wings on the branches. It differs from the slippery elm by its relatively smooth leaves and the lack of rusty-colored hair on its bud. The Siberian elm, which is also similar, does not have distinctly asymmeterical leaves. hackberry leaves which are also somewhat similar in appearance, have three main veins originating at the base of each leaf blade. 

Distribution

Nova Scotia across to southern Manitoba, south to central Texas, east to south-central Florida. 

Images

Click each small picture to see a larger image. 

October, 2002 ZA	. October, 2002 ZA	October, 2002 ZA	March, 2003	March, 2003
October, 2002 ZA			March, 2003	March, 2003

Location

N 39.27760º  W -89.88008°                                                                         
Southeast corner of East Second South Street and South East Street, Carlinville, Macoupin County, IL.

Copyright

Photos © 2002 Zach Allen, Carlinville High School, linke@carlinvilleschools.net

References

Robert Mohlenbrock, Forest Trees of Illinois, 1996, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Illinois State Museum, Tree Guide
http://museum.state.il.us/muslink/forest/htmls/trees.html
   (Click American Elm.)

Elbert L. Little, Field Guide to Trees:  Eastern Region, 1980, Alfred A. Knopf.

Click here to return to the plant list for Carlinville High School