ExploreTree

Wych Elm

Ulmus glabra

The Wych Elm is a tall tree with rough leaves. Its branches are great for climbing and playing!

Habitat: Woodlands and hedgerows

Appearance

The Wych Elm has a broad, domed crown and rough, dark grey bark that develops fissures with age. Its distinctive dark green leaves are large, rough to the touch, and famously asymmetrical at their base, often with a pointed tip.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyUlmaceaeGenusUlmus

Wych Elm

Interesting facts

Its wood is incredibly tough and water-resistant, historically used for wagon wheels and boats!

The rough leaves of a Wych Elm were once used like sandpaper for polishing wood.

Their distinctive winged seeds look like miniature green flying saucers hanging from branches.

Wych Elms bloom tiny, petal-less red flowers in early spring, even before their leaves appear.

Special abilities

Wych Elm has a deep, strong root system that anchors soil, helping it thrive on steep hillsides and prevent erosion.

Wych Elm can vigorously sprout new shoots from its base or roots if the main trunk is cut, allowing it to regenerate.

Wych Elm produces winged seeds (samaras) that are easily carried by the wind, helping it spread and colonize new areas.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-40 m
Canopy Spread: 10-20 m
Is Edible: Yes
Trunk Diameter: 60-150 cm
Lifespan: 100-300 years
Fruit Type: Samara
Growth Rate: Medium
Leaf Type: Deciduous

Ecological connections

eats

Large Elm Bark Beetle

Scolytus scolytus

Larvae tunnel and feed under the bark.

eats

Elm Leaf Miner Moth

Phyllonorycter tristigella

Larvae create mines within its leaves.

symbiotic with

Amethyst Deceiver

Laccaria amethystina

Forms mycorrhizal relationship with its roots.

shelters

Eurasian Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleus

Nests in its branches and feeds on insects.

Traits

Deciduous

Discover the magic of plants that shed all their leaves during a particular season, often putting on a spectacular show of fall colors first. They get ready for a fresh start!

Broadleaf Tree

Discover magnificent trees that have wide, flat leaves, unlike the needles of pine trees! These are often the trees that change colors beautifully in autumn.

Fruit Bearing

These amazing plants develop fruits, which often contain seeds and are sometimes delicious treats for us or wildlife. They're nature's way of spreading new life!

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!