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WHITE ELM (American Elm) 



(Vlmus americana L.) 



THE famous shade tree of New England, whose 

 range, however, extends to the Eocky Mountains 

 and southward to Texas. Within this vast area, it 

 is generally common except in the high mountains 

 and wet bottom lands. It reaches an average height 

 of 60 to 70 feet and a diameter of 4 to 5 feet. The 

 bark is dark gray, divided into irregular, flat-topped, 

 thick ridges, and is generally firm, though 

 on old trees it tends to come off in flakes. 

 An incision into the inner bark will show 

 alternate layers of brown and white. 



The leaves are alternate, simple, 4 to 6 



inches 

 long, rath- 

 er t h i c k, 

 somewhat 

 one-sided, 

 doubly 

 toothed on 

 the mar- 



gin, 



and 



Twig one-balf 

 natural size. 



generally 



WHITE ELM smooth 



Leaf, one-third natural size. above and 



downy below. The leaf veins are very pronounced 

 and run in parallel lines from the midrib to leaf- 

 edge. 



The flowers are small, perfect, greenish, on slen- 

 der stalks sometimes an inch long, appearing before 

 the leaves in very early spring. The fruit is a light 

 green, oval shaped samara (winged fruit) with the 

 seed portion in the center and surrounded entirely 

 by a wing. A deep notch in the end of the wing is 

 distinctive of the species. The seed ripens in the 

 spring and by its wing is widely disseminated by 

 the wind. 



The wood is heavy, hard, strong, tough, and difS- 

 cut to split. It is used for hubs of wheels, saddle 

 trees, boats and ships, barrel hoops, and veneer for 

 baskets and crates. 



Because of its spreading fan-shaped form, grace- 

 ful pendulous branches, and long life, the white elm 

 justly holds its place as one of the most desirable 

 shade trees. 



17 



