MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



SLIPPERY ELM (Ulmus pubescens Walt.) 



THE Slippery Elm, a common name attached to this 

 species because of the mucilaginous inner-bark, is 

 very rare or wanting in the eastern sections of the State, 

 but is rather frequent in the western parts. It has a 

 preference for low, rich soil, though it some- 

 times occurs on higher ground. 



In habit it is a lower tree than the Ameri- 

 can Elm and, in proportion to its height, 

 more spreading. It is a medium-sized tree, 

 attaining a height of forty to fifty feet and 

 a trunk diameter of one to two feet. The 

 head is very broad and almost flat. 



The bark on the trunk is thick, dark 

 brown tinged with red, divided by shallow 

 fissures into flat ridges and covered with 

 flat scales. 



The winter buds 

 are obtuse, dark 

 brown in color and 

 covered with rusty 

 hairs. 



The leaves are 

 simple, alternate, 

 four to six inches 

 long, sharply doubly 

 toothed, dark green 

 and very rough on 



SLIPPERY ELM 



Leaves and fruit. One-third 

 natural size. 



the 



One-half and rough on 



natural size. - 



under- surface. 



The flowers appear before the leaves about the mid- 

 dle of April and the small fruit ripens in late spring. 



The wood is very similar to that of the American 

 Elm, being heavy, strong and durajble. It is employed 

 in the manufacture of agricultural implements, for the 

 hubs of wheels, in the construction of vessels and for 

 fence-posts. 



46 



