How To Identify Elm Tree Leaves, Bark: Types, American Elm, Growing Locations

Elm Tree Leaves

Anyone looking to identify the Elm Tree would do so by examining the leaves. A close look at the foliage will more likely reveal the distinction that underlies different species.

Each Elm Tree type has distinct leaves with different shapes, sizes, and textures.

Common examples of Elm Trees include the American, Rock, and Siberian. Leaves of the American Elm Tree look like a spade and range from two to five inches in length with saw-toothed edges.²

Siberian elm leaves are smaller but wider than American Elm, with a similar shape. Rock elm leaves are rounded and slightly lobed, four to eight inches long.

Most elm leaves have velvety or fuzzy hairs on the underside, especially near their veins, which is another distinguishing feature you can use in identification. You can also look for a reddish coloration on the stalk or petiole of an American or rock elm—a feature distinguishing these species from other trees.

Elm Tree Flowers

Different kinds of elms have different kinds of flowers, so by looking at the Elm Tree flowers of each type of elm, you should be able to determine what kind you’re looking at easily.

• American Elm

The American Elm has small yellow-green flowers with five petals and appears in clusters around 1 inch in diameter. The clusters form in late spring, around the same time when leaves emerge.

(Image: Judy Gallagher¹⁵)

Yellow is Elm Tree fall color.

• Chinese Elm

The Chinese Elm flower is similar to the American Elm, appearing early in spring before its leaves come out. They are small yellow-green flowers with five petals, too.

But their shape is a bit more rounded than that of the American Elm’s petals.¹

• Rock/Hybrid Elms

The Rock/Hybrid Elms have star-shaped yellow-greenish flowers that appear in early summer and have a very distinct look coming from all other varieties of Elm Trees. They are 4 to 10 mm across and consist of up to four/five petals, with a few stamens protruding outwards.

Elm Tree Seeds

Elm Trees are known for their flat and papery seeds known as samaras, or helicopters because they spin in the air like a mini-chopper when released from their tree. Before considering growing an Elm Tree from a seedling, identify seeds first.

Samaras come in pairs and have distinctive shapes—they look like an asymmetrical oval that comes to a point at one end, with a thin and flat seedling attached at the other. They can be 5-10mm long and brownish-red or yellow-green.

When To Look for Elm Tree Seeds

If you want to find some elm seeds, they ripen in late summer, so plan accordingly and keep your eyes peeled. The good news is that Elm Trees tend to drop them over a wide area, so if you find one tree dropping samaras everywhere, you’ve probably found your Elm!

When looking at an Elm Tree’s seeds, it’s important to check both sides of each samara—often, you’ll find only one side has wings on them. Also, pay attention to whether two wings are on each side—this is another classic identifier of an Elm Tree seed.

Elm Tree Bark

The Elm is a deciduous tree that grows in mixed hardwood forests and moist soils.¹ The Elm Tree bark is either light grey or dark grey with alternating flattened ridges.

Although the bark of the American Elm Tree is somewhat soft,³ it is identifiable with overlapping folds, dominant grooves, and compressed ridges. An Elm Tree bark cut across shows sporadic white and brown layers. In the same breath, the cross-section of ridges in the American Elm depicts light tan and reddish brown layers.

Other Elm Trees have different outer shapes, like spreading in an upright form. When the Elm dies, the bark is light gray to dark gray with a few patches of brown.

Sometimes, the bark will begin to split from the tree or miss into some wooden chunks.

The powder is water soluble and starchy. This mucilaginous aspect of the bark makes it easy to remove from the tree and is used for medicinal purposes.

The lacebark elm derives its name from the lace texture of the bark. Similarly, the Chinese Elm Tree has a distinct flaking bark that exposes the orange patches beneath.

Elm Tree Seed Pods

The small and round protected oval papery seedpod called the samara easily identifies the Elm Tree. An interesting thing to note is that seedpods propagate in groups, yet each pod has one seed.

At the formative stages of growth, pods are often thin and light green, which makes them easily identifiable. You can differentiate between the Slippery Elm and the American Elm with the hairiness of buds, and twigs.

Related Reading: Tree Seed Pods Identification Guide: 75 Species (Full Chart)

Elm Tree Facts

• The Elm Tree bark is renowned for its healing properties. In ancient days, for instance, communities grounded medicine from the bark of Slippery Elm
• While effective in treating wounds, it was also used to treat intestinal complications such as ulcers and constipation.
• The inner bark was used to relieve thirst
• Different bark types would be blended to treat swollen glands and sores for spiritual reasons
• The inner bark extracted from the slippery elm, was instrumental in the battlefield as it offered soldiers the needed energy for several weeks
• While global pharmaceutical companies have formulated cough drops from slippery barks, they also serve as herbal therapies and food supplements
• The American Elm is fast-growing, stress-tolerant, and resilient
• Its rose bowl crest makes it appealing when planted in the backyard and along the streets
• It is the source of hardwood due to interlocked grains that make it impossible to split
• Used to make resilient timber for mining, furniture, and construction
• Used to make reinforced hockey sticks, crates, boxes, and baskets
• Best for making bows as well as musical instruments
• Dutch elm disease is a threat to the American Elm Tree
• Beetles spread the disease as they feast and hop from one tree to another
• Branches of infected trees start to wither as other areas get diseased until the tree dries up
• The wilt may affect neighboring trees
• Root grafts also contribute to the spread of the fungus from one tree to the next
• Treating trees with fungal products helps prevent tree infection by Dutch Elm Disease⁴

Elm Tree Disease Prevention: How To Stop Elm Tree Disease

Below are the common ways in preventing diseases on Elm Trees:

Pruning

Removing branches before the disease spreads to the main stem is highly advisable. Remove the branches at least 10 or 5 feet below the sign of infection.

After pruning the branches, endeavor to dispose of them the right way. You can also burn into ash twigs that you prune.

In as much as ladybirds can make for the best natural pest control for Elm Tree, some people may wonder whether or not how far apart to plant Elm Tree would be the best approach.⁵

Plant Disease-Resistant Species

It goes without saying just how Elm Trees are susceptible to pests and diseases such as the Dutch Elm. At this point, you can help fight off diseases by planting Elm Trees that have the resilience to combat the disease.

A species that is resistant to pathogens would be the way to go.

Spray Twigs With Pesticide or Fungicide

You can also curtail the Dutch elm disease from spreading by spraying twigs with pesticide or fungicide. This treatment should be undertaken periodically and consistently.

Using the services of expert arborists can help prescribe the best fungicide to control Elm Tree bugs.

Periodic Inspection

One of the greatest ways of preventing trees from contracting and transmitting the disease is by often inspecting the trees. Common symptoms to look for include wilting, discoloration, and yellowing leaves.

Avoid Hurting Elm Trees

Once the Elm Tree gets wounded, they’re more likely to contract diseases. That said, the tree should be handled with care.

(Image: Hassocks5489¹⁶)

This ensures the bark is free from all injuries, protecting it from infections.

Common pests of the Elm Tree include leaf beetles, sawflies, and flea weevils.

How To Identify Elm Tree (Elm Tree Identification)

Leaves, bark, and fruits are useful in identifying Elm Trees.

Depending on the time of year, you can looks for specific traits.

You can check the recommendation below on how to identify each Elm Tree.

Examine the Leaves

You must examine the various features of an Elm Tree to identify it. The first thing to examine is the leaves, located alternately along two sides of the stem.

They are oval and converge at the tip.

Their edges are notched, and the veins are prominent. The bases are asymmetrical, and the leaves of certain Elm Tree varieties are smooth on top but fuzzy on the bottom.

The American Elm leaf is typically ten to fifteen centimeters long.⁶ In contrast, the English Elm leaves are about ten centimeters long and two and a half centimeters wide, sporting ten to twelve veins.

Meanwhile, European White Elms have up to seventeen veins on the front of the leaf and fourteen on the bottom.

Check the Bark

You must examine the various features of an Elm Tree to identify it. The first thing to survey is the leaves, located alternately along two sides of the stem.

They are oval and converge at the tip.

Their edges are notched, and the veins are prominent. While vague at the bottom, Elm Tree leaves have distorted bases.

On the subject of size, the American Elm leaves are six inches in length, hence bigger than the Chinese Elm leaves that measure 2 inches.¹

Let’s look at the differentiating features of Elm Trees:

How Much Carbon Does Elm Tree Sequester?

Increased Elm Tree cover would help sequester a considerable amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Anyone committed to finding a lasting solution to global warming and environmental pollution would advocate for planting more Elm Trees.

So, how much carbon does a tree capture, in particular the Elm Tree? Elm Trees have the ability to absorb 0.67 metric tons of CO₂ yearly.

Owing to their large size and towering height, an American Elm absorbs more carbon than Chinese Elms. Impeccable sources indicate mature trees have the capacity to absorb more CO₂ than young ones.

Since Elm Trees absorb carbon, they deplete the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere and alleviate the effects of climate change. Also, besides offering shelter for animals, Elm Trees enhance soil quality and biodiversity.

Elm Tree Growing Zone

Another way to identify them is to learn about their natural growing locations.

Some elm species grow in parts of North America, while others are found in Europe, Asia, and northern Africa.

(Image: Jim.henderson¹⁷)

Although growing Elm Tree from a seed is a common practice, when choosing companion plants for growing Elm Tree, go for ones with shallow roots. Additionally, follow planting tips for Elm Tree and get the best results.

You might be concerned about growing zones for Elm Tree where to grow. The growing zone of Elm Tree depends on the type.

The United States has different zones in which Elm Trees are grown. But how long it takes to grow Elm Tree varies from zone to zone.

In the United States, for instance, the American Elms are grown in Texas.⁷

Furthermore, elms are also grown in Southern Manitoba, Central Ontario, Cape Breton Island, and Southern Saskatchewan in Canada.

Elm Trees are grown on farmlands, woodlands, sidewalks, and community lawns. Although elms grow on limestone hills, they can also mushroom along riverbanks and around properly aerated lakes.

Once you understand the rate of growth of Elm Trees differs based on species, the issue of when to plant Elm Tree for the best yield will no longer be a concern. The average annual growth of Elm Trees is between 3-6 meters.

Elm Tree types that grow at a fast pace attain 100 feet with slow-growing types reaching 10 feet.

Types of Elm Trees

Below are some of the known types of Elm Trees:

American Elm

The American Elm species is not only a famous North American tree but also features the Massachusetts state tree.⁸ Moreover, this deciduous tree can grow to 80 feet high.

In addition, it has long, dark-green leaves that might turn yellow during fall.

When planted, the American Elm quickly grows and can attain heights of 80 feet supported by an extensive but shallow root structure. It will also form a vase-like canopy that can grow 70 feet wide.⁹

Other drought-resistant trees in North America include Beech Tree, Cherry Tree, Birch Tree, Basswood Tree and Willow Tree.

The American Elm is widely used as a street tree as it is adaptable to a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions. This species flourishes well in moist environments; nevertheless, consider watering needs for Elm Tree plants during summer.

Unfortunately, this tree has been heavily devastated by the Dutch Elm Disease,¹⁰ and today, its disease-resistant cultivars are the best options for anyone who wants to plant this species.

English Elm

The English Elm attained its name because of how widespread it was across Western and Southern Europe. This type of Elm Tree can grow up to 80 feet and is loved for the rounded crowns that can see it stretch to be 60 feet wide.

Like the American Elm, it has a gray-brown bark with deep furrows. However, unlike the former, it has small, symmetrical leaves with hairy upper surfaces that will turn yellow and drop in the fall.

Also, unlike other Elm Trees, the English elm reproduces through suckers, not seeds.

Chinese Elm

The Chinese Elm is another type of deciduous broadleaf tree. Although it has a thickly pronged top, the Chinese Elm does not grow above 40 feet tall.

(Image: Daderot¹⁸)

The Chinese Elm is native to East Asia, specifically along the eastern coastal regions of China, Korea, and Japan. A subspecies of this tree is also found in Australia.

In reality, growing an Elm Tree from a cutting is something practiced across the globe. Nevertheless, some similarities exist between the Chinese and the American Elm.

Their leaves, for instance, are oval in shape, with ragged edges.

Moreover, the Chinese Elm Tree is identified with branches that hang closer to the ground. This species of Elm Tree is resistant to the Dutch elm disease and other Chinese Elm Tree problems.

Winged Elm

The winged Elm Tree has leathery textured leaves. Although Winged Elm has a similar bark to American Elm, the common features are less noticeable.

This Elm type also performs well in rocky, wet, and lowlands.

The Cedar Elm

The Cedar Elm,¹¹ scientifically known as Ulmus crassifolia is widely referred to as the Texas Elm Tree, given how popular it is in the Texas region, is a great urban tree. Firstly, it is highly resistant to pollution and drought and can grow well on poor soils.

(Image: Larry D. Moore¹⁹)

Also, unlike the American Elm, it is less vulnerable to the Dutch Elm disease.

This type of Elm Tree can grow up to 50 to 90 feet in height and is distinct for having the smallest leaves of all Elm Tree varieties. Also, while this tree tends to drop its leaves in the fall, it is semi-deciduous and will remain evergreen for most of the year.

Slippery Elm

This is distinct from the slippery elm with reddish and dark brownish layers. The straight stem and jug shape make the American Elm unique.

The tree has a crown that spreads out and a trunk that splits at the base to form a jug-like shape.

Nonetheless, the slippery elm has a jug-like shape at the base. However, since it branches higher above the ground, this makes it difficult for the branches to weep the ground.

The inner bark of the slippery elm produces a gelatinous powder that increases in volume to around 60 to 140 times when soaked in water.

Smooth Leaf Elm

This elm species, scientifically called Ulmusminor, requires medium to high soil moisture. This tree is marked by circular leaves with uneven bases; however, the bark is greyish and textured.

Additionally, smooth-leaf elm is resistant to diseases

Japanese Elm

Like the American Elm, Japanese Elm is disease resistant. Nonetheless, unlike other elm species, it has dense leaves, which make it an appropriate tree for shades.

(Image: Ptelea²⁰)

It also grows in both warm and cold regions.

The young Japanese Elm has a smooth bark while mature ones are gnarled. There are also cultivated types of elm species including Accolade, Dutch, Chinese Elm, American, new horizon, and Prairie Expedition.

Even though there is no non-invasive and disease resistance elm varies. These cultivated varieties have the ability to withstand diseases.

Moreover, these types of trees are different but also require specific sun.

Nonetheless, the issue of how much sunlight does Elm Tree need each day is influenced by the type of tree. Furthermore, the best-growing conditions for Elm Tree are influenced by soil P.H. and soil moisture.

Let’s look at different types of Elm Trees in terms of hardiness, spread, height, moisture, soil, and sun requirements.

Elm Tree Bark Identification

Elm Tree types appear different and present unique structures. In reality, this disparity gives them their unique bark.

That said, identifying an elm bark requires in-person observation with some photos of known Elm Tree species to compare.

The tree bark has distinct characteristics used for its identification. Here are some of the most common traits for identifying Elm Trees.

• Texture

When there are different Elm Tree species, they all have a scaly and rough bark, with deep furrows and ridges. The ridges can be prominent and similar in texture to cork or puzzle pieces.

Running your fingers over an Elm Tree bark, you’ll feel these ridges and bumps, depending on their size and shape. For instance, American Elm bark has a rough and furrowed texture compared to an Asian elm with a smooth surface.

• Color

The color of bark of the Elm Tree depends on the species. America elm, for instance, can be differentiated from other species with its red-brown to gray-brown bark.

On the other hand, the Asian Elm Tree is dark grayish in color.¹²

Moreover, other Elm Tree species have lighter bark.

• Shape and Size

The bark of elm can also be recognized using shape and size. A majority of Elm Tree species are large.¹³

Therefore, mature trees have not only huge barks but are also thicker in shape. Overall, the Elm Tree’s bark features crossing trenches with a scaly texture

Elm Tree Leaf Identification

There are various features that help in identifying the Elm Tree. The features encompass:

• Saw-Like and Round-Shaped Leaves

Elm Trees are characterized by a circular or oval leaf with a saw-like.¹⁴ Moreover, the bright vein and pointed leaves are important in differentiating these leaves from similar species.

• Bark

The bark of Elm Trees is also unique which makes it easier to identify the tree. The tree has rough bark.

• Arrangement of Leaves

It is also easier to identify an Elm leaf by its arrangement along the tree’s branches. The leaves are alternately arranged along the branches and not across each other from the stem.

Elm Tree leaves also have different growing points from the stem.

• Check the Color and Texture

The American Elm has dark green leaves with a smooth and glossy texture. Upon touching the leaves, you will feel a leathery or sticky feel on their surface.

• Look at the Trunk

The trunks from the Elm Tree are split or branching. These are the only trees with elm leaves.

Trees with single, central, or vertical trunks do not contain elm leaves.

• Check for the Seed Clusters

Leaves from a tree producing small, flat, and circular seeds are highly likely from an Elm Tree. The seeds from the Elm Tree have a papery and winged structure surrounding them.

The clusters from these seeds appear in groups of two or three.

• Observe the Vein Spacing of the Leaves

The veins from an Elm Tree have a huge spacing and unique patterns. The veins appear curvy along the trees’ leaf’s surface and grow smaller as they near the edge of the leaf.

• Check the Leaf Asymmetry

To know an Elm Tree leaf, you will see that the sides are asymmetrical. One side of the leaf is relatively bigger than the other.

Knowing how to pinpoint the key characteristics of an Elm tree can help you located them wherever they grow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elm Tree Features