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Ulmus glabra

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ULM-us GLAY-bruh
Description

Wych elm is a large shade tree that prefers organically rich, moist well-drained loamy soil in the full sun. It has a broad rounded crown and grows 70-100 ft tall. Unfortunatley it is susceptible to Dutch Elm disease and is no longer planted in this country. However there are still some specimens living in botanical gardens.

It is recommended to choose a less problematic native tree. See some listed to the left.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Insects that bother this tree include beetles, borers, caterpillars, leaf miner, mealy bugs, and scale.  This tree has frequent disease problems like Dutch elm disease, phloem necrosis, wet wood, cankers, wilts, rots.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Camperdownii', 'Horizontalis'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#large tree#air pollution tolerant#deciduous tree#dendrology#disease problems#frequent insect problems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Camperdownii', 'Horizontalis'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#large tree#air pollution tolerant#deciduous tree#dendrology#disease problems#frequent insect problems
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ulmus
    Species:
    glabra
    Family:
    Ulmaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, Western Asia
    Dimensions:
    Height: 70 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    more than 60 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Samara
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Flat, papert samara with 1 seed appear in spring to summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Reddish green non-showy flowers appear in early to mid spring before leaves.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Doubly Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green, rough leaves 3"-6" long. Simple, alternate, doubly dentate margins, oblong to elliptic with asymmetrical base and acuminate tip. Leaves turn yellow in the fall but the color is insignificant.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Bark Description:
    Bark gray, smooth, furrowed with age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Scales:
    Enclosed in more than 2 scales
    Stem Description:
    Twigs ash-gray to red-brown. Bud scales overlap.
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Pollution
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems