Wych Elm
ExploreTrees
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
Category
TreesRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
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
Ability
Steep Slope Stabilizer
Wych Elm has a deep, strong root system that anchors soil, helping it thrive on steep hillsides and prevent erosion.
Ability
Rapid Re-Sprouter
Wych Elm can vigorously sprout new shoots from its base or roots if the main trunk is cut, allowing it to regenerate.
Ability
Wind-Powered Seeds
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
- 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
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Also known as
Scotch ElmWych Elm Tree
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Wych Elm?
20-40 m
How wide does Wych Elm spread?
10-20 m
Is Wych Elm edible?
Yes
How big is Wych Elm?
60-150 cm
How long does Wych Elm live?
100-300 years
Where is Wych Elm usually found?
Woodlands and hedgerows
What kind of fruit does Wych Elm produce?
Samara
How fast does Wych Elm grow?
Medium
Snap Map
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