FLORIDA ELM
This native North American tree grows quickly when young, forming a broad or upright, vase-shaped silhouette, 60 to 80 feet high and wide. The six-inch-long, deciduous leaves are dark green throughout the year, fading to yellow before dropping in fall. In early spring, before the new leaves unfold, the rather inconspicuous, small, green flowers appear on pendulous stalks. These blooms are followed by green, wafer-like seedpods which mature soon after flowering is finished and the seeds are quite popular with both birds and wildlife. American elm must be at least 15-years-old before it will bear seed. The copious amount of seeds can create a mess on hard surfaces for a period of time. Trees have an extensive but shallow root system.
Height: 60 to 80 feet
Spread: 50 to 60 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: vase, upright/erect
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium
Light Requirement: full sun, partial sun, or partial shade
Soil Tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; extended flooding; well-drained
Drought Tolerance: moderate
Aerosol Salt Tolerance: moderate
The American elm, once a favored choice for shade and street planting due to its longevity, has experienced a significant decline in northern regions because of Dutch elm disease. This disease is caused by a fungus transmitted by bark beetles. Historically, the American elm’s hard wood was highly valued for timber, furniture, and veneer production. Indigenous peoples crafted canoes from its trunks, while early settlers utilized the wood’s flexibility for making barrels and wheel hoops through steaming processes; it was also popular for crafting rocking chair rockers. Nowadays, the remaining wood is primarily used in furniture manufacturing.
For successful cultivation of American elm trees today, they should be planted in full sunlight with well-drained and nutrient-rich soil. It’s crucial to establish a monitoring program to detect any signs of Dutch elm disease promptly. Implementing such measures is essential to ensure these trees receive the necessary care given their susceptibility to this disease.