
Ulmus americana
American elm · also White elm, Water elm, Swamp elm
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The American Elm is a stately tree with a broad, arching canopy, deeply furrowed grayish-brown bark, and leaves that turn yellow in the fall. Native to eastern North America, it was historically popular as a street tree due to its urban tolerance, though its populations were severely impacted by Dutch elm disease. It is a versatile species, thriving in various soil conditions and providing ample shade.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 94,22819.6%12 yr8.3 in
- 72,08013.7%—6.7 in
- 41,69213.7%—18 in
- 14,7299.3%—9.1 in
- 9,3754.8%11 yr15 in
- 9,2111.3%—12 in
- 8,5791.2%—3.1 in
- 7,6542.4%—7.1 in
- 5,49912.2%19 yr20 in
- 5,0001.6%—27 in
- 4,0945.5%—15 in
- 3,6401.1%5.3 yr3.9 in
- 2,5691.4%—25 in
- 2,2922.0%10 yr6.0 in
- 1,2541.5%—6.3 in
- 6260.13%29 yr21 in
- 6040.22%—8.7 in
- 5881.3%—7.9 in
- 2730.20%—12 in
- 2582.2%12 yr6.0 in
- 1691.5%8.2 yr3.9 in
- 1540.21%—6.7 in
- 360.23%5.8 yr6.3 in
- 340.10%—15 in
- 300.00%—3.1 in
- 130.03%—2.0 in
- 60.00%——
- 20.00%—4.4 in
- 20.00%—2.0 in
- 20.01%—16 in
- 10.00%——
Traits
- Form
- Broadleaf
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 50–60 ft
- Canopy spread
- 50–100 ft
- Lifespan
- 200 years
- Water needs
- Moderate
- Pollution tolerance
- High
- Wildlife value
- High
- Blooms
- Jan, Feb, Dec
Trunk diameters across every city: median 8.7 in, mean 12 in, 90th percentile 27 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Other Ulmus in the catalogue
28 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.