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Botanical Garden

Ulmus alata - Winged elm

Family Ulmaceae

Description:

About eighteen species of elm are native to North America, Europe and Asia. Dutch Elm Disease decimated the American elm in the eastern United States. Formerly, it was an important timber tree. Several elms are cultivated today as shade trees. Winged elm is native to the southeastern United States. It is a deciduous tree. The common name refers to the corky ridges usually found on its branches. Reportedly, it is somewhat suseptible to Dutch Elm Disease. For this reason, it might be best grown as a single specimen or in small numbers, not planted in large numbers.

Winged elm is an easy shade tree for the landscape but is not commonly available in nurseries. Ridges on the stems give this plant a very distinctive appearance in winter when it is deciduous.

Location:

See this tree south of building 2.

Size:

Medium-sized tree to about fifty feet or more.

Care Instructions:

Light: full sun

Water: moderately drought tolerant

Soil: average soil, wide pH tolerance, no special requirements

This native tree grows well in northeast Florida in a sunny site with soil that is not excessively wet or dry.