WHITE ELM (Ulmus Americana) 



VIII. Notes on Forest Trees Suitable 

 for Planting in the United States 



DISTRIBUTION AND MANNER OF OC- 

 CURRENCE. 



THE White or American Elm has 

 been distributed through natural 

 agencies from southern Newfound- 

 land westward along the northern 

 shores of Lake Superior to the east- 

 ern base of the Rockies, and through 

 the United States to the Black Hills, 

 western Nebraska, Indian Territory, 

 and Texas ; southward it grows as far 

 as Florida. It is infrequent in the ex- 

 treme western and southern portions 

 of its range, but appears in greatest 

 abundance in the Northeast, especially 

 in New England, where trees of re- 

 markable size and beauty are found. 

 The highest development is attained in 

 the rich alluvium of the Connecticut 

 River Valley. 



Although seldom the most numer- 

 ous species in a forest stand, the White 

 Elm is widely and uniformly distri- 

 buted in the East and is one of the 

 most common trees. Its favorite place 

 of growth is in rich intervales, or on 

 fertile wooded slopes where moisture 

 is constant and abundant. It will 

 grow, however, in almost any soil, 

 hence it may be found in nearly every 

 open field, or woodlot, and along road- 

 sides everywhere throughout the East. 

 In the Middle West it is one of the 

 most common species, but is more 

 closely confined to river valleys than 

 farther east. 



The rangre advised for economic 

 planting comprises all of the middle 

 Western States, as far south as north- 

 ern Texas. For purposes of shade 

 and ornament, planting may be done 

 throughout the entire range of the 

 tree. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWTH ASSO- 

 CIATE SPECIES. 



The divided trunk and spreading 

 vase, or broom-shaped crown, of trees 



Furnished by U. S. Forest Service. 



grown in the open is well known. 

 When grown in the forest the trunk 

 remains a single stem and the crown 

 becomes reduced in size. In the South 

 and West, and in unfavorable situa- 

 tions, the tree becomes shorter, with 

 a low, rounded crown not unlike that 

 of the oak. Mature trees vary from 

 60 to 120 feet in height, and have a 

 maximum diameter of eight feet. The 

 elm usually has a rapid growth and a 

 long life, although on sterile soils both 

 these qualities are materially reduced. 

 The most rapid growth is during the 

 first 50 to 60 years ; there is a falling 

 off before the century mark is reached. 

 The roots are long and fibrous, and 

 run near the surface for a long dis- 

 tance. The tree can endure a moderate 

 amount of shade. The associate 

 species include nearly all of the com- 

 mon hardwoods, especially those with 

 a preference for moist soils, as the 

 walnuts, ashes, sycamores, Tulip-tree, 

 birches, etc. 



THE WOOD ITS ECONOMIC USES. 



The wood of the young elm is very 

 tough, but is usually considered of not 

 much value. When the tree has 

 reached maturity it furnishes timber 

 which is moderately strong, coarse- 

 grained, difficult to split, not suscepti- 

 ble to polish, not durable, and liable 

 to warp and check in drying. It is 

 used chiefly in the manufacture of 

 agricultural implements and carriages, 

 and for flooring, cooperage, and sad- 

 dletrees. 



SOIL AND SITE. 



The preferable soil for the White 

 Elm is a deep, alluvial loam which is 

 never dry or lacking in abundant plant 

 food. Failing to obtain ideal condi- 

 tions, the tree adapts itself readily to 

 soils less favorable, or even decidedly 

 poor, and to an adverse climate. It 

 is considered one of the hardiest trees 



