# Chinese Elm (*ulmus parvifolia*)

The Chinese Elm is a beautiful tree that has small, serrated leaves. It is great for climbing and provides shade for kids to play under!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** They are commonly found in parks and gardens, often planted in urban areas.
- **Also known as:** Chinese Hackberry, Lacebark Elm

![Chinese Elm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/RN_Ulmus_parvifolia_%28Hilversum%29.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Ronnie Nijboer, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RN_Ulmus_parvifolia_%28Hilversum%29.JPG)

## Appearance

The Chinese Elm is a medium-sized deciduous or semi-evergreen tree with graceful, pendulous branches and mottled, exfoliating bark showing patches of grey, green, orange, and brown. Its small, glossy dark green leaves have finely toothed edges.

## Taxonomy

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

## Interesting facts

- Chinese Elms can grow in a huge range of climates, from hot deserts to cold mountains!
- Its tiny, subtle flowers release pollen when most other trees have finished!
- Some Chinese Elms have bark so smooth they feel like polished stone!
- This tree is super popular for making tiny, artistic bonsai trees!

## Special abilities

- **Bark Camouflage:** Chinese Elm has unique peeling bark that creates a mosaic pattern, helping it blend into varied urban environments and resisting sun scald.
- **City Survivor:** Chinese Elm can tolerate poor soil, air pollution, and drought, helping it thrive in harsh city conditions where other trees struggle.
- **Fast Recovery:** Chinese Elm can quickly heal wounds from pruning or damage, helping it stay healthy and resist diseases or pests.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 1000-1800 cm
- **Spread:** 1000-1500 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Elm Leaf Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elm-leaf-beetle) (*Xanthogaleruca luteola*) — Larvae and adults feed on leaves.
- **Shelter:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Builds nests in its strong branches.
- **Shelter:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Nests in the tree's sturdy branches.

## Traits

- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [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.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

## Collections

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

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always make sure to check for any falling branches when playing near trees.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Chinese 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 Chinese Elm?

1000-1800 cm

### How wide does Chinese Elm spread?

1000-1500 cm

### When does Chinese Elm bloom?

Late summer

### Is Chinese Elm edible?

No

### Is Chinese Elm toxic?

None

### What is Chinese Elm's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Chinese Elm pollinated?

Wind

## Where to spot

- [Fullerton Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fullerton-arboretum) — California, US · Botanical Garden
- [Frying Pan Farm Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/frying-pan-farm-park) — Virginia, US · Park
- [Japanischer Garten (Bad Langensalza)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/japanese-garden-bad-langensalza) — Thüringen, DE · Park
- [Woodthrush Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woodthrush-park) — California, US · Park
- [Washington Shores Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/washington-shores-park) — Florida, US · Park

[View all places to see Chinese Elm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/chinese-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*)

---

Source: [Chinese Elm: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chinese-elm)