# Cedar Elm (*Ulmus crassifolia*)

The Cedar Elm is a lovely tree with smooth, green leaves and a strong trunk. It can grow tall and provides shade for people and animals alike.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 2
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Cedar Elm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ulmus_crassifolia_leaves.jpeg&width=800)

Photo: Mason Brock ( Masebrock ), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ulmus_crassifolia_leaves.jpeg)

## Appearance

The Cedar Elm is a medium-to-large deciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown. It has distinctive rough, furrowed bark that can be slightly corky. Its small, dark green leaves are leathery with serrated edges, turning bright yellow in autumn.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Rosales
- **Family:** Ulmaceae
- **Genus:** Ulmus

## Interesting facts

- It's named "Cedar" Elm because it often grows near "cedar" (Ashe Juniper) trees.
- Its rough, ridged bark feels bumpy like cork to the touch!
- Its tiny, winged seeds twirl like miniature helicopters as they fall to the ground.
- This elm uniquely flowers in the fall, not spring, unlike most other elms!

## Special abilities

- **Tough Roots:** Cedar Elm has strong, adaptable roots that help it survive in various tough soils, from dry uplands to wet floodplains.
- **Wind Rider Seeds:** Cedar Elm produces tiny, flattened, winged seeds that can be carried far by the wind to find new places to grow.
- **Drought Defender:** Cedar Elm can withstand long periods without rain, thanks to adaptations that help it conserve water in dry environments.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1500-2500 cm
- **Spread:** 1000-2000 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late summer to early fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Mourning Cloak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mourning-cloak) (*Nymphalis antiopa*) — Larvae feed on the leaves.
- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browse on the leaves and twigs.
- **Shelter:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Builds nests and caches food in its canopy.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
- [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
- [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Stay clear of falling branches and always ask an adult before climbing trees.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Cedar Elm?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Cedar Elm?

1500-2500 cm

### How wide does Cedar Elm spread?

1000-2000 cm

### How big are the flowers on Cedar Elm?

0.2-0.5 cm

### When does Cedar Elm bloom?

Late summer to early fall

### Is Cedar Elm edible?

No

### Is Cedar Elm toxic?

None

### What is Cedar Elm's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Thurber](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/thurber) — Texas, US · Neighborhood
- [Dealey Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dealey-plaza) — Texas, US · Historic District
- [King William Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/king-william-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District

[View all places to see Cedar Elm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cedar-elm)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Cedar Elm: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cedar-elm)