A large tree with an open, ascending, broad-oval crown which will eventually become round. The European white elm can grow to over 30 m and just as wide. The year-old twigs are brown-green and hairy and the old bark is grey and finely grooved. Its roots form distinct buttressing at the base of the trunk. The glossy dark green leaf is markedly asymmetric although the autumn colours are not very spectacular: usually slightly yellow. The flowers are red and the fruit often has a reddish hue too. Until recently, this inherently European species received little attention until it emerged that Ulmus laevis is only sporadically attacked by Dutch elm disease. The tree is not particularly resistant, but the elm bark beetle, that is responsible for spreading the disease, appears to avoid the tree. A lovely imposing tree for planting in parks and landscapes.