American Elm (Ulmus americana)

About this specimen: This towering tree is unusual not only for its size but also for the fact that it is an elm that has survived the onslaught of the Dutch Elm fungus. Survivors such as this one are used by botanists to develop tougher crossbred strains.

Leaf type: 4 - 6” shaped like a spear tip, lopsided at base and edged with double teeth.

Bark: Heavy, rough bark; tall, straight truck and wide fountain of branches forming a vase or wineglass shape.

Flowers: small reddish flower in spring
Fruit: seeds enclosed in a samsara, a coin-sized papery oval carried by the wind Average mature size in city: 40 – 80’ tall and wide, 3 - 4’ thick
Origin: native

Other notable features: A celebrated urban classic that has been battered by disease beginning in the 1930’s with the introduction of Dutch Elm disease. The state tree of both North Dakota and Massachusetts.

In Celtic mythology elm trees were associated with the Underworld. They had a special affinity with elves who were said to guard the burial mounds, their dead and the associated passage into the Underworld.