The Genus Ulmus
Family Ulmaceae
This is a medium-sized genus of trees native to Asia and North America. A few species will grow in the Coastal Southeast but only one Asian species (U. parvifolia) is commonly cultivated. Dutch elm disease was introduced to the United States in the early 1900's and removed most of the native elms from landscapes in much the eastern United States, both in nature and gardens. The Coastal Southeast had less trouble with Dutch elm disease than states to our north.
Other plants in the family Ulmaceae that may be seen in gardens of the Coastal Southeast are the water elm (Planera) and zelkova (Zelkova.)
Other plants in the family Ulmaceae that may be seen in gardens of the Coastal Southeast are the water elm (Planera) and zelkova (Zelkova.)
Ulmus alata
Ulmus alata
winged elm
This is a tall deciduous tree, usually to fifty feet tall or so. Reportedly, it can reach one hundred feet in rich, moist soils. Its leaves are larger than Ulmus parvifolia and smaller than U. americana. The common name refers to the distinctive corky ridges that are often found on its branches. It flowers in fall. It is native to the Coastal Southeast and its seeds are a valuable food for our native wildlife. It grows best in full sun and is adaptable to soil types, tolerating fairly dry to moist sites. This plant is reported to have moderate salt tolerance. It is reported to be cold hardy from zone 6 to 9.
Plants may be available in local native plant nurseries and catalogs. 'Lace Umbrella' is a weeping selection. Plants are propagated by seeds, softwood cuttings and grafting.
I have tried several of these plants in the islands of hot, sunny parking lots in zone 9a. So far, they seem to be succeeding, even surviving a very long drought in 2010 - 2012. New leaves emerge in early to mid-March. The cedar elm, Ulmus crassifolia, is another southeastern native that are similar in size and appearance to U. alata. Cedar elm has smaller leaves, is more drought tolerant, and is more commonly used as a landscape tree in Texas.
This is a tall deciduous tree, usually to fifty feet tall or so. Reportedly, it can reach one hundred feet in rich, moist soils. Its leaves are larger than Ulmus parvifolia and smaller than U. americana. The common name refers to the distinctive corky ridges that are often found on its branches. It flowers in fall. It is native to the Coastal Southeast and its seeds are a valuable food for our native wildlife. It grows best in full sun and is adaptable to soil types, tolerating fairly dry to moist sites. This plant is reported to have moderate salt tolerance. It is reported to be cold hardy from zone 6 to 9.
Plants may be available in local native plant nurseries and catalogs. 'Lace Umbrella' is a weeping selection. Plants are propagated by seeds, softwood cuttings and grafting.
I have tried several of these plants in the islands of hot, sunny parking lots in zone 9a. So far, they seem to be succeeding, even surviving a very long drought in 2010 - 2012. New leaves emerge in early to mid-March. The cedar elm, Ulmus crassifolia, is another southeastern native that are similar in size and appearance to U. alata. Cedar elm has smaller leaves, is more drought tolerant, and is more commonly used as a landscape tree in Texas.
Ulmus alata 'Lace Umbrella' (AASU)
Ulmus americana
young Ulmus americana
American elm
This is a large deciduous tree that is capable of growing to one hundred feet tall. It is a fairly fast growing tree that develops a wide spreading crown with maturity. This species flowers and its seeds mature in spring. Leaves are much larger than U. alata and U. parviflora. American elms were popular street and shade trees across eastern North America until Dutch elm disease (DED) was introduced. Today, it is too large for the typical suburban property. Several cultivars and hybrids have displayed resistance (but not immunity) to DED. American elm grows well in any reasonably well-drained, moist soil in a sunny site. It is reported to be moderately salt tolerant. It is recommended for zone 3 to 9.
Plants are available from specialty growers. Plants may be propagated by seed. Cultivars are propagated by softwood cuttings.
Young plants of ‘Princeton’ and 'Valley Forge' are planted at the University of North Florida in zone 9a and plants grow naturally in the moist woodlands around campus. Like the elms of old, it has a spreading vase shape. It begins flowering in late February. New leaves emerge in early March. Slippery elm, Ulmus rubra, is another native elm that is similar in appearance to the American elm. I have not seen it in local nurseries.
This is a large deciduous tree that is capable of growing to one hundred feet tall. It is a fairly fast growing tree that develops a wide spreading crown with maturity. This species flowers and its seeds mature in spring. Leaves are much larger than U. alata and U. parviflora. American elms were popular street and shade trees across eastern North America until Dutch elm disease (DED) was introduced. Today, it is too large for the typical suburban property. Several cultivars and hybrids have displayed resistance (but not immunity) to DED. American elm grows well in any reasonably well-drained, moist soil in a sunny site. It is reported to be moderately salt tolerant. It is recommended for zone 3 to 9.
Plants are available from specialty growers. Plants may be propagated by seed. Cultivars are propagated by softwood cuttings.
Young plants of ‘Princeton’ and 'Valley Forge' are planted at the University of North Florida in zone 9a and plants grow naturally in the moist woodlands around campus. Like the elms of old, it has a spreading vase shape. It begins flowering in late February. New leaves emerge in early March. Slippery elm, Ulmus rubra, is another native elm that is similar in appearance to the American elm. I have not seen it in local nurseries.
Ulmus americana leaf
Ulmus parvifolia
Ulmus parvifolia (Kanapaha)
Chinese elm
This is a medium to large, deciduous to semi-evergreen tree capable of reaching seventy feet tall. It has a colorful trunk with orange patches that appear as the older bark flakes away. It flowers in fall. It has a high degree of resistance to Dutch elm disease. Unfortunately, it produces lots of seeds and seedlings. For this reason, it is listed as a weed tree in Austin, Texas and I have concerns about it in the Coastal Southeast. The species is recommended for zones 5 to 9. Semi-evergreen selections are a little less cold hardy but do fine in our area.
Plants are commonly available in local nurseries. It is propagated too easily by seeds. Reportedly, it is propagated by spring and summer cuttings, also.
Cultivar ‘Drake’ is the commonest elm in local landscapes and nurseries. Besides its weedy tendencies, the Drake elm has a weak root system and tends to lean. Leaves emerge in late March. Other selections have better root systems but most produce a lot of seedlings. A columnar cultivar, 'Everclear,' seems to produce fewer seeds than most. A seedless selection would be a valuable contribution.
This is a medium to large, deciduous to semi-evergreen tree capable of reaching seventy feet tall. It has a colorful trunk with orange patches that appear as the older bark flakes away. It flowers in fall. It has a high degree of resistance to Dutch elm disease. Unfortunately, it produces lots of seeds and seedlings. For this reason, it is listed as a weed tree in Austin, Texas and I have concerns about it in the Coastal Southeast. The species is recommended for zones 5 to 9. Semi-evergreen selections are a little less cold hardy but do fine in our area.
Plants are commonly available in local nurseries. It is propagated too easily by seeds. Reportedly, it is propagated by spring and summer cuttings, also.
Cultivar ‘Drake’ is the commonest elm in local landscapes and nurseries. Besides its weedy tendencies, the Drake elm has a weak root system and tends to lean. Leaves emerge in late March. Other selections have better root systems but most produce a lot of seedlings. A columnar cultivar, 'Everclear,' seems to produce fewer seeds than most. A seedless selection would be a valuable contribution.
Ulmus parviflora bark