THE RED ELM OR SLIPPERY ELM 



THE Slippery Elm is generally to be distinguished at a distance from the American 

 Elm by its much less graceful habit of growth, the upper branches projecting 

 more or less straightly out instead of drooping in graceful curves as do those of 

 the American species. The leaves of the Slippery Elm when rubbed by the finger-tips 

 are rough in two directions, which is also a distinctive character, while of course the muci- 

 laginous inner bark, which gives the tree its commonest name, will always characterize 

 it. In winter it may be identified by the downy buds and in spring by the key-fruits or 

 samaras, which are much larger than those of the White Elm. 



The Red Elm is a widely distributed species, being found indigenous from the valley 

 of the St. Lawrence west to North Dakota and south to Florida and Texas. It usually 

 does not attain a great height, and the head of the tree spreads out widely for the size of 

 the trunk. The trees grow rapidly from seed, and have one advantage over the American 

 Elm, in that they are less subject to attack by insect enemies. 



In early spring the large, rounded, dark brown, downy flower-buds burst forth 

 into reddish blossoms, which are borne in clusters along the sides of the twigs. In respect 

 to the presence of stamens and pistils these flowers vary greatly; in some, stamens only 

 are present; in others, pistils only; while in still others both stamens and pistils may be 

 found. These three sorts of flowers often occur upon the same tree. Soon after the flowers 

 have gone by, the characteristic fruits develop. These are flat samaras, round or oval in 

 shape, with the wall over the seed coated with fine hairs, but having the wing of the 

 fruit smooth and not hairy along its margins, as is that of the White Elm. These fruits 

 are widely distributed by the wind. 



The Slippery Elm is sometimes also called the Moose Elm, and by the Indians, by 

 whom the inner bark was used for throat troubles, it was called " oo-hoosk-ah, " meaning 

 "it slips." 



It is probable that as the troubles from insect enemies to the White Elm become 

 more marked this species will be more largely planted for shade and ornament. It is easily 

 raised from the seed, and deserves more attention than it has hitherto received. 



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