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Native Plant Database

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Ulmus americana (American elm)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Ulmus americana L.

American elm, White elm

Ulmaceae (Elm Family)

USDA Symbol: Ulam

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Three distinct habits are recognized including the vase-shaped form in which the trunk divides into several erect limbs strongly arched above and terminating in numerous slender, pendulous branchlets. A more wide-spreading and less arching form occurs, as well as a narrow form with branchlets clothing the entire trunk. The species usually grows 60-80 ft. Dark-green leaves have variable fall color. Large, handsome, graceful tree, often with enlarged buttresses at base, usually forked into many spreading branches, drooping at ends, forming a very broad, rounded, flat-topped or vaselike crown, often wider than high.

This well-known, once abundant species, familiar on lawns and city streets, has been ravaged by the Dutch Elm disease, caused by a fungus introduced accidentally about 1930 and spread by European and native elm bark beetles. The wood is used for containers, furniture, and paneling. Because of its fundamental architectural form, this is the ideal street tree. Its branches meet across the road in a vaulted arch that permits the passage of high vehicles.(Peattie)

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Oblong , Oval
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Double-serrate
Leaf Apex: Acuminate , Acute
Leaf Base: Oblique
Fruit Type: Samara
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green
Size Class: 72-100 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Green
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV , WY
Canada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: N.S., s. Man & s.e. Sask. & Crook Co. WY, s. to FL & c. TX
Native Habitat: Stream banks; lowland areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist, fertile soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: Prefers full sun and well drained soils. Good heat tolerance. Susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Shade tree, Fast growing, Attractive, Fall conspicuous
Use Wildlife: Seeds-granivorous birds,Cover,Nesting site,Substrate-insectivorous birds,Seeds-Small mammals, Browse.
Use Other: Because it is relatively odourless, the wood was used to make crates and barrels for cheeses, fruits and vegetables.
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Mourning Cloak, Columbia silkmoth, Question Mark butterfly, Painted Lady butterfly, Comma buterfly.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Ulmus americana is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Eastern Comma
(Polygonia comma)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Mourning Cloak
(Nymphalis antiopa)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Columbia silkmoth
(Hyalophora columbia)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA 		Question Mark
(Polygonia interrogationis)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA
Painted Lady
(Vanessa cardui)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Fast-growing shade tree for Central Texas
July 04, 2009
What is the best fastest growing shade tree for central Texas? Thanks
view the full question and answer

Trees that are non-toxic for horses
May 02, 2008
I live in Ponder, Tx. We have some acreage and horses and wish to plant trees to afford some shade for the horses. Can you tell me what trees are toxic to horses.
view the full question and answer

Plants for wildlife and trees for shade.
September 29, 2007
We live in Kempner Texas, our land has mostly cedar trees. We would like to make a wildlife habitat on the back side of our property. Can you recommend plants that will grow in shade to partial sun,...
view the full question and answer

Native trees for cemetery plot in Karnes County, TX
April 08, 2007
I'm looking for a tree for a cemetery plot in Karnes County at Pana Maria. There will be someone to regularly water it. I understand live oak and pecan are native to the area. I assume these would...
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From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants (2009) Tallamy, Douglas W.
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 400 - Natural History of Trees of Eastern & Central North America (1991) Peattie, D.C. & P. H. Landacre
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ulmus americana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ulmus americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ulmus americana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-15
Research By: TWC Staff

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