# Siberian elm (*Ulmus pumila*) The Siberian elm is a strong tree that can grow tall and wide. It has beautiful green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. This tree is great for providing shade on hot days! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Siberian elm](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ulmus_pumila.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bruce Marlin, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ulmus_pumila.jpg) ## Appearance The Siberian elm is a medium-sized deciduous tree with an open, spreading crown and thin, rough, gray-brown bark. Its small, serrated, dark green leaves are distinctively asymmetrical at the base, and it produces numerous flat, round, papery seeds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Ulmaceae - **Genus:** Ulmus ## Interesting facts - Even when branches break, this tough tree often grows back stronger! - Its wood is so strong, it's used for making sturdy furniture and tools! - This tree grows so fast, it's often used to quickly provide shade! - Tiny, round 'wafers' are actually its seeds, which flutter like confetti! ## Special abilities - **Drought Defender:** Siberian elm can survive with very little water, thanks to its deep root system that helps it find moisture. - **Seed Spreader:** Siberian elm produces thousands of winged seeds that can be carried far by the wind, helping it spread quickly. - **Hardy Pioneer:** Siberian elm can grow in poor soils and harsh climates, making it one of the first trees to colonize disturbed areas. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 1000-2000 cm - **Spread:** 800-1500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Gypsy moth (*Lymantria dispar*) — Larvae feed voraciously on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern gray squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Feeds on the abundant seeds produced by the tree. - **Shelter:** [American robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Often builds nests in its sturdy branches. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young twigs and foliage. ## 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. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [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. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be careful around trees; don't climb too high and watch for falling branches. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Siberian 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 Siberian elm? 1000-2000 cm ### How wide does Siberian elm spread? 800-1500 cm ### How big are the flowers on Siberian elm? 0.2-0.4 cm ### When does Siberian elm bloom? Spring ### Is Siberian elm edible? Yes ### Is Siberian elm toxic? None ### What is Siberian elm's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Colorado National Monument Visitor Center Complex](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colorado-national-monument-visitor-center-complex) — Colorado, US · National Park - [Bertrand F. Harrison Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bertrand-f-harrison-arboretum) — Utah, US · Botanical Garden - [Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cumbres-and-toltec-scenic-railroad) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Provo City Library](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/provo-city-library) — Utah, US · Historic District - [Okanagan Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/okanagan-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Sun-Oka Beach Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sun-oka-beach-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Siberian elm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/siberian-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: [Siberian elm: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/siberian-elm)