ELMS. 229 



Properties of wood. Heavy, hard, very strong- and tough, 

 close grained, susceptible of receiving a high polish, very 

 difficult to split. It is light brown with yellowish or greenish 

 white sapwood. Specific gravity 0.7265; weight of a cubic 

 foot 45.63 pounds. 



Uses. As an ornamental tree the Cork Elm is occasionally 

 used in place of the White Elm and though a slower grower 

 its great hardiness and sturdy form make it very desirable 

 for park and street planting. It should be used more fre- 

 quently than at present. The wood having so many valuable 

 qualities is much sought for and its extinction seems possible. 

 It is largely used in the manufacture of large agricultural 

 implements, like plows and threshing and mowing machines, 

 for beams of stump pullers, bridge timbers, piles, wagon 

 hubs, rims of bicycle wheels and ax handles. For the latter 

 purpose it is superior to hickory. In fact it is superior to 

 most other woods wherever great strength, toughness, solidi- 

 ty, flexibility and durability are required. 



Ulmus pubescens ( U. fuha. ) Slippery Elm. Red 

 Elm. Moose Elm. 



Leaves ovate-oblong, doubly serrate, very rough above 

 and slightly rough or soft downy beneath, often 4 to 6 inches 

 long, taper-pointed, turning to a dull yellow before falling, 

 fragrant while drying. Buds before expansion soft, downy, 

 large; branchlets downy. Flowers in April, borne on short 

 pedicels. Fruit in May or June, nearly circular, about f 

 inches long, only slightly if at all downy. Tree of medium 

 size, 40 to 60 feet high with a trunk occasion ally 2 feet in 

 diameter. 



Distribution. From Ontario west to North Dakota and 

 south to Florida and Texas; less common than the White Elm. 

 In Minnesota frequent throughout the state except far north- 

 ward. 



Propagation. By seeds kept stratified until the spring fol- 

 lowing the period of ripening. Unlike the other Elms, the 

 seeds will not grow the same season that they mature. 



Properties of wood. Heavy, hard, strong, very close 

 grained, durable in contact with the soil, splits as freely and 

 easily as that of young chestnut. It is dark brown with thin 



