# Elm (*Ulmus procera*) Elm trees are tall and strong with wide, spreading branches. Their leaves are oval-shaped and have a serrated edge. Elms provide shade and homes for birds and insects. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** English Elm, Ulmus ![Elm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ulmus_minor_Variegata.jpg&width=800) Photo: Melburnian, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ulmus_minor_Variegata.jpg) ## Appearance The Elm is a tall tree with a distinct vase-like shape, often spreading widely at the top. It has dark grey, deeply furrowed bark and bright green leaves with a noticeable asymmetrical base and double-toothed edges. Its small, disc-like seeds are surrounded by a pale, papery wing. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Ulmaceae - **Genus:** Ulmus ## Interesting facts - Elm wood was once used to make ancient Roman water pipes because it resists decay when wet! - Its unique leaf bases are asymmetrical, meaning one side of the leaf is larger than the other! - Many famous elm trees around the world are centuries old, silently watching history unfold! - The inner bark of some elms can be made into a soothing tea or paste for sore throats and skin. ## Special abilities - **Wind-Powered Seeds:** Elm has light, papery samara seeds that can float on the wind, helping it spread its offspring far and wide. - **Rapid Growth Advantage:** Elm can grow quickly in favorable conditions, allowing it to compete for sunlight and establish itself in new areas faster. - **Tough Timber:** Elm has incredibly tough, interlocked wood fibers, making its branches flexible yet strong to resist snapping in high winds. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-35 m - **Spread:** 10-20 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 100-200 cm - **Lifespan:** 100-300 years - **Fruit Type:** Winged samara - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Elm leaf beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elm-leaf-beetle) (*Xanthogaleruca luteola*) — Larvae and adults feed on elm leaves, causing damage. - **Eats:** Mourning Cloak butterfly (*Nymphalis antiopa*) — Its caterpillars munch on elm leaves before transforming. - **Eats:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Squirrels gather and consume elm seeds in spring. - **Eats:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer browse on young elm shoots and tender leaves. - **Parasitizes:** Dutch elm disease fungus (*Ophiostoma ulmi*) — This fungus causes the devastating Dutch Elm Disease. ## 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. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [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 - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy looking at elm trees from a safe distance and avoid climbing them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Elm? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Elm? 20-35 m ### How wide does Elm spread? 10-20 m ### Is Elm edible? Yes ### How big is Elm? 100-200 cm ### How long does Elm live? 100-300 years ### Where is Elm usually found? Forests ### What kind of fruit does Elm produce? Winged samara ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Elm: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elm)