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Description
Ulmus Americana, also known as American Elm, is a deciduous tree that belongs to the family Ulmaceae. This tree is native to North America and can be found in various habitats, including forests, meadows, and urban areas. The American Elm is a large tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall and 60 feet wide. It has a broad, vase-shaped crown and a straight trunk that can reach up to 4 feet in diameter.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukarya |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Spermatophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Urticales |
| Family | Ulmaceae |
| Genus | Ulmus |
Appearance
The American Elm has a rough, grayish-brown bark with deep furrows that form diamond-shaped patterns. Its leaves are oval-shaped and have a serrated margin. They are dark green in color and turn yellow in the fall. The tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring, which give way to winged seeds that are dispersed by the wind. The American Elm is a fast-growing tree that can live up to 200 years.
Care Guide
The American Elm requires regular watering during the first few years of growth, but can tolerate drought once it is established. It prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Fertilize the tree once a year in the spring with a balanced fertilizer. The American Elm can tolerate full sun to partial shade and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
Common Pests & Diseases
The American Elm is susceptible to Dutch elm disease, which is caused by a fungus spread by bark beetles. The disease can cause the tree to wilt and die within a few years. Other pests that can attack the American Elm include elm leaf beetle, scale insects, and spider mites.
Habitat
The American Elm is native to North America and can be found in various habitats, including forests, meadows, and urban areas. It is commonly used as a street tree and is also planted for its ornamental value in parks and gardens.
Question and Answer
Q: What is the lifespan of the American Elm?
A: The American Elm can live up to 200 years.
Q: What is Dutch elm disease?
A: Dutch elm disease is caused by a fungus spread by bark beetles, which can cause the American Elm to wilt and die within a few years.
Q: What is the preferred soil type for the American Elm?
A: The American Elm prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Q: What is the hardiness zone for the American Elm?
A: The American Elm is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
Related Plants
- Ulmus rubra
- Ulmus parvifolia
- Ulmus glabra
- Ulmus thomasii
References
- “Ulmus Americana.” Missouri Botanical Garden, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a152.
- “American Elm.” The Morton Arboretum, www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/american-elm.
- “Ulmus Americana.” University of Connecticut Plant Database, www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/u/ulmame/ulmame1.html.
