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Summary

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal, Rounded, Upright or erect, Vase.

Physical Characteristics

Ulmus is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

The inner bark is very fibrous and can be used as a string[46, 61, 82, 149]. Wood - close-grained, heavy, hard, not strong, brittle, difficult to split. It weighs about 46lb per cubic foot, is not considered to be as strong as other elms, but is used for tool handles, wheel hubs etc[46, 61, 82, 149, 227, 229].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a fertile soil in full sun[188], but can be grown in any soil of at least moderate quality so long as it is well drained[1]. A fast-growing tree in its native range[227], but this species does not thrive in Britain[1]. Closely related to U. thomasii[11]. Susceptible to 'Dutch elm disease', a disease that has destroyed the greater part of all the elm trees growing in Britain. The disease is spread by means of beetles. Mature trees killed back by the disease will often regrow from suckers, but these too will succumb when they get larger. There is no effective cure (1992) for the problem, but most E. Asian, though not Himalayan, species are resistant (though not immune) to the disease so the potential exists to use these resistant species to develop new resistant hybrids with the native species[200]. The various species of this genus hybridize freely with each other and pollen is easily saved, so even those species with different flowering times can be hybridized[200]. Special Features: Attracts birds, North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - if sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, it usually germinates within a few days[200]. Stored seed does not germinate so well and should be sown in early spring[200]. The seed can also be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the tree) and sown immediately in a cold frame. It should germinate very quickly and will produce a larger plant by the end of the growing season[80]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants should not be allowed to grow for more than two years in a nursery bed since they form a tap root and will then move badly. Layering of suckers or coppiced shoots[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Ulmus alata	Winged Elm	Tree	15.0	6-9	F	LMH	SN	M	2	0	2
Ulmus americana	American Elm, Gray Elm, Water Elm	Tree	25.0	3-9	M	LMH	SN	M	2	2	3
Ulmus davidiana	Japanese Elm	Tree	15.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	0	1
Ulmus glabra	Wych Elm, Table-top Scotch Elm, Scotch Elm	Tree	30.0	5-7	F	LMH	SN	M	3	2	2
Ulmus japonica	Japanese Elm	Tree	35.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	1	1
Ulmus laciniata		Tree	10.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	0
Ulmus macrocarpa		Tree	10.0	4-8		LMH	SN	DM	2	1	1
Ulmus parvifolia	Chinese Elm, Lacebark Elm	Tree	18.0	5-10	M	LMH	SN	M	2	1	2
Ulmus procera	English Elm	Tree	35.0	5-9	F	LMH	SN	M	3	2	3
Ulmus pumila	Siberian Elm, Hybrid elm	Tree	15.0	4-9	F	LMH	SN	DM	2	2	3
Ulmus rubra	Slippery Elm	Tree	20.0	3-7	M	LMH	SN	M	2	5	3
Ulmus thomasii	Rock Elm	Tree	30.0	-	S	LMH	SN	M	1	0	2
Ulmus villosa	Cherry Bark Elm	Tree	25.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	0	2
Ulmus wallichiana		Tree	35.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	1	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Ulmus - Michx.