MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



WHITE OR AMERICAN ELM ( Ulmus Americana L.) 



THE American Elm is very common everywhere in 

 Massachusetts and reaches its maximum develop- 

 ment in the Connecticut Valley. Its favorite habitat is 

 the moist ground along streams and rich bottom-lands. 

 Its graceful habit, typically vase- shape, yet often 

 varied, is very familiar. Commonly from fifty to sixty 

 feet in height, it often grows to a height of one hun- 



WHITE ELM 



Leaves and fruit. One-third natural size. 



dred feet or more and 

 acquires a trunk diameter 

 of six to ten feet. It is 

 usually a quick -growing 

 tree. 



The bark on the trunk 

 is ashy-gray, thick and 

 divided by deep fissures 

 into flat ridges which sep- 

 arate into thin scales. 



The leaves are simple, 

 alternate, two to five 

 inches in length, coarsely 



doubly toothed and dark green and somewhat rough 



on the upper surface. 



The flowers appear in late March or early April 



before the leaves, and the small, winged fruit ripens 



in May before the leaves are fully developed. 



The wood is heavy, hard, strong and tough. It is 



employed for the hubs of wheels, in boat and ship 



building, for flooring and in cooperage. 



47 



AMERICAN ELM 



Winter twig and buds. One-half natural 



