liAXDBOOK OF TkEES OF THE NoETHEKN StATES AA'D CaNADA. 1S3 



The White Elm is one nf the hirgest trees 

 of the 'vtlantic States, fr.eiiuently attaining 

 the lieight of 100 or 1'25 ft. with a trunk G to 

 10 ft. in diameter. These large trunks are 

 widely buttressed at base and in the forest 

 usually eolumnar and undivided to the height 

 of .00-00 ft. ov mure. Its beautiful form when 

 growing iu the open field is a familiar and 

 beloved feature of almost every landscape of 

 New England and the Xorthern States. These 

 trees usually divide within 20 or 30 ft. from 

 tlie ground into few large branches, -which rise 

 upward, ramifj' and curve gracefully outward, 

 forming a broad roumled or Hat top with more 

 or less drooping branchlets. The trunk and 

 large limbs are often fringed to the ground 

 with shoi-t contorted brandies. It inhabits 

 naturally moist bottom lands and the borders 

 of streams. 



The wood when absolutely dry weighs 40.50 



pounds per cubic foot, is strong, tough and 



difficult to split, and is a favorite timber for 



wagon making, particularly the hubs of wdieels, 



and for saddle-trees, tool-handles,, etc.i 



Leaves oval to oblong-obovate, rounded or heart- 

 shaped on one side at tiase and short or wr'#li,'e- 

 shaped od the other, abruptl.v aeumiDate at api'x, 

 doubly serrate, dark green and smooth or m-aiiy 

 so above, paler beneath. Flower's, before tlie 

 leaves, in fascicles, with slender droopih,e: .iointed 

 pedicels ; calyx with 7-0 short rounded lobr-s ; 

 ovary and styles light green. Fruit, ripening as 

 the leaves unfold, an ovai-obovate samara short 

 stipitate, glabrous with ciliate mavgijs.= 



1. A. W., 11, a:j. 



2. For genus see p. 4.32. 



