Native Trees of Kentucky 



69 



a. White Elm Ulmus americana. 



The 'White or American 

 Elm is among the largest of 

 the hard wood trees found in 

 mixed forests everywhere in 

 the State. Forest grown, the 

 trunk is often clear of branches 

 for fifty feet. Grown in the 

 open, the trunk divides near 

 the base into three or four 

 main branches, which rise with 

 slight divergence, giving to the 

 tree the form of an inverted 

 cone. 



The wood, strong, fibrous 

 and difficult to split, is em- 

 ployed in interior finish and 

 furniture, for hubs of wheels, 

 agricultural implements and cheese boxes. It is fast becoming 

 important lumber for slack cooperage. 



The planting of Elm as a park tree has almost been dis- 

 continued because of the ravages of insects. 



The flowers are perfect, inconspicuous, appearing before the 

 leaves in early spring. 



Tree tail, graceful, typically vase-shaped. 



Bark dark gray, divided by deep fissures into scaly ridges. 



Leaves alternate, simple, coarsely toothed, unequal at base, 

 slightly rough on upper surface. 



Fruit small, flat nutlets, with circular notched wings called 

 samaras, ripening before the leaves appear. 



