American elm.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

60 to 80 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 2 to 9

Bloom time

Early spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with deep, fertile soil and plenty of space for its wide root system. Watch for signs of Dutch elm disease like wilting or yellowing leaves during the summer. Keep the area around the base clear of debris to help keep the tree healthy.

Watering

Young trees need consistent moisture until they are well established in the landscape.

Feeding

Apply a balanced tree fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.

Pruning

Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.

Repotting

This tree is meant for outdoor planting and is not suitable for containers.

Soil

Moist, well drained, fertile loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

-40 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 100 to 200 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the large size of the tree means falling branches can be a hazard.

Contact allergens

The rough texture of the leaves can cause minor skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The wind-dispersed pollen is a significant seasonal allergen for many people.

Edibility

The seeds are edible but generally not consumed by humans due to their small size and papery texture.

How to identify it

• Vase shaped canopy structure
• Rough, serrated dark green leaves
• Asymmetrical leaf bases
• Deeply furrowed gray bark
• Small winged seeds called samaras

Height

18 to 30m

Spread

12 to 20m

Leaves

green, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

green, brown, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

green, tan, Late spring

Problems to watch for

• Dutch elm disease · A fungal infection spread by bark beetles that causes wilting and death.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, fall

Overwintering

No special winter care is needed as it is fully hardy in its native range.

In containers

Not suitable for long-term container growth due to its massive root system.

Plant shade-tolerant woodland species beneath the tree to mimic its natural forest floor environment.

Grows well with

• Wild Ginger · It thrives in the moist, shaded conditions beneath the elm canopy.
• Virginia Bluebells · These spring ephemerals bloom before the elm leaves fully shade the ground.

Similar species

• Slippery Elm · It has similar growth habits but features larger, rougher leaves.

Science

Family

Ulmaceae

Genus

Ulmus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and central North America.

Conservation

While widespread, it is threatened by Dutch elm disease in many parts of its range.

It naturally thrives in moist, fertile soils along riverbanks and floodplains.

Value to wildlife

larval host plant, nesting site for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

shade tree, ornamental, urban forestry

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast do they grow?

They grow at a moderate to fast rate, often adding 2 to 4 feet per year.

Can I plant this in a small yard?

No, they require significant space to accommodate their massive mature size.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Ulmus is the classical Latin name for the elm tree, while the species name americana denotes its native continent.

Good to know

• It is the state tree of Massachusetts.
• The wood was historically used for making hockey sticks and wheel hubs.
• Elms can live for over 200 years in ideal conditions.