American Elm, Gray Elm, Water Elm
Ulmus americana
Family: Ulmaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Vase.
Ulmus americana is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 25
Where it is found
Rich soils, especially by streams and in lowlands. Found on a range of soil types, from acidic to mildly alkaline.
Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Manitoba, Florida and Texas.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Leaves - raw or cooked. The red inner bark has been used to make a coffee-like drink.
Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.
Medicine
Rating: 2
An infusion made from the bark has been used in the treatment of bleeding from the lungs, ruptures, coughs, colds, influenza, dysentery, eye infections, cramps and diarrhoea. An infusion of the bark has been taken by pregnant women to secure stability of children. A decoction of the bark has been used as a wash on wounds. A decoction of the inner bark has been taken in the treatment of severe coughs, colds, menstrual cramps. An infusion of the inner bark has been drunk, and used as a bath, in the treatment of appendicitis. An infusion of the root bark has been used in the treatment of coughs, colds and excessive menstruation. A decoction has been used as an eye wash in the treatment of sore eyes. The inner bark has been used as an emollient on tumours.
Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Birthing aid: Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.
Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.
Other
Rating: 3
A fibre obtained from the stems is used in making paper. The stems are harvested in spring, the leaves are removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The outer bark is removed from the inner bark by scraping or peeling. The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye and then beaten with mallets. The paper is beige in colour. The inner bark is very fibrous and is used in making string and strong ropes. The bark has been used to make various containers, including those used for gathering maple syrup. Wood - hard, strong, heavy, durable, coarse grained, shrinks moderately though it tends to warp and twist, it bends well and is difficult to split. The wood is very durable in water. It weighs 40lb per cubic foot and is harvested commercially for flooring, wheel hubs, cooperage, agricultural implements and many other uses.
Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Firewood, Aggressive surface roots possible, Specimen, Street tree. Prefers a fertile soil in full sun, but it can be grown in any soil of at least moderate quality so long as it is well drained. Trees are moderately fast-growing and live for at least 300 years in the wild, but they do not thrive in Britain. This species is particularly susceptible to 'Dutch elm disease', a disease that has destroyed the greater part of all the elm trees growing in Britain. The disease is spread by means of beetles. Mature trees killed back by the disease will often regrow from suckers, but these too will succumb when they get larger. There is no effective cure (1992) for the problem, but most E. Asian, though not Himalayan, species are resistant (though not immune) to the disease so the potential exists to use these resistant species to develop new resistant hybrids with the native species. The various species of this genus hybridize freely with each other and pollen is easily saved, so even those species with different flowering times can be hybridized. Special Features:North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - if sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, it usually germinates within a few days. Stored seed does not germinate so well and should be sown in early spring. The seed can also be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the tree) and sown immediately in a cold frame. It should germinate very quickly and will produce a larger plant by the end of the growing season. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants should not be allowed to grow for more than two years in a nursery bed since they form a tap root and will then move badly. Layering of suckers or coppiced shoots.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 3-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
U. floridana.