I can’t help but notice the confusion surrounding the identification of different types of elm tree. One such example is the nick-name of “pi$$ elm”, which, it seems, is applied to any sort of elm because of smell, or water content, or just local nick-name. Another is the incorrect name of Chinese Elm applied to what is actually the Siberian Elm; the Chinese Elm is very, very different and almost never found growing “in the wild”.
I thought I’d share how I identify the different types of elm. For most of us living live north of the Mason-Dixon there will be three native elms, the American Elm, the Slippery Elm (often called Red Elm) and the Rock Elm. And there will be one common import, the Siberian Elm. The Siberian Elm was widely planted as windbreaks in the mid-west after the dust-bowl days; the Chinese Elm has been planted as an ornamental tree in city yards, parks and such.
First of all, let’s get the Siberian Elm/Chinese Elm confusion out of the way. Both of these imports can be distinguished from the native elms by their much smaller leaves, with the Siberian Elm having leaves less than 3-inches in length, and the Chinese Elm having leaves less than 2-inches in length. Tree structure of the Siberian Elm is similar to the American Elm, but branches grow in a more upward way, lacking the drooping over at the ends, and is always taller than it is wide. The Chinese Elm is smaller and has very unique bark, different than any other elm bark you would normally encounter.
CHINESE ELM BARK
The three native elms can be difficult to distinguish, especially if standing-dead and bark-less. The problem is that, depending on growing conditions, any of the three can exhibit tree structure identical to the others.
AMERICAN ELM
Usually crotches low, often at breast height, and normally has several main beams. The crotches form a ‘V’ shape and the branches slowly begin drooping-over as the length increases. Often the American Elm, because of the drooping branch type, will be wider than it is tall, especially if growing in the open or above other trees. The leaves can be smooth to slightly rough, dull green (not shiny) and anywhere from 3 to 8 inches long (the majority being 4-6 inches), even on the same tree. The wood is light colored all the way through, with very little noticeable difference in the heart-wood. The easiest way to identify American Elm is by the bark (if present); removing a piece of bark and breaking it will reveal alternating layers of dark and creamy-white… American Elm is the only native elm with this type of bark.
SLIPPERY ELM (Red Elm)
Usually crotches higher than the American Elm (often over 20 feet), and has fewer main beams (often only 2). The crotches form more of a ‘U’ shape and the branches lack the drooping-over of the American Elm. A mature Slippery Elm will always be taller than it is wide. The leaves are rough, like 60-grit sandpaper, dull green (not shiny) and anywhere from 4 to 7 inches long (the majority being 5-7 inches), even on the same tree. The wood is reddish-brownish in color with a narrow outer white wood. Breaking the bark will reveal the same layering as the American Elm, but without the creamy-white layers.
ROCK ELM
Often does not crotch, growing with a straight, tall trunk, rarely leaning. If it does crotch it will be more in the ‘V’ shape of the American Elm and usually very high up. For the most part, smaller than the American Elm, but can grow to impressive size. The leaves will identify a Rock Elm; being smooth and shiny dark green on top and anywhere from 2 to 4 inches long (the majority being around 3 inches). The canopy is very narrow when compared to other elms, almost cylinder like. Older branches usually have cork-like wings on them. The wood is light colored for 2/3’s or so in, where the center turns much darker. The Rock Elm has the heaviest, densest wood of all the elms. The bark is tight and interlaced, not normally as thick as other elms.
ROCK ELM WINGS
I thought I’d share how I identify the different types of elm. For most of us living live north of the Mason-Dixon there will be three native elms, the American Elm, the Slippery Elm (often called Red Elm) and the Rock Elm. And there will be one common import, the Siberian Elm. The Siberian Elm was widely planted as windbreaks in the mid-west after the dust-bowl days; the Chinese Elm has been planted as an ornamental tree in city yards, parks and such.
First of all, let’s get the Siberian Elm/Chinese Elm confusion out of the way. Both of these imports can be distinguished from the native elms by their much smaller leaves, with the Siberian Elm having leaves less than 3-inches in length, and the Chinese Elm having leaves less than 2-inches in length. Tree structure of the Siberian Elm is similar to the American Elm, but branches grow in a more upward way, lacking the drooping over at the ends, and is always taller than it is wide. The Chinese Elm is smaller and has very unique bark, different than any other elm bark you would normally encounter.
CHINESE ELM BARK
The three native elms can be difficult to distinguish, especially if standing-dead and bark-less. The problem is that, depending on growing conditions, any of the three can exhibit tree structure identical to the others.
AMERICAN ELM
Usually crotches low, often at breast height, and normally has several main beams. The crotches form a ‘V’ shape and the branches slowly begin drooping-over as the length increases. Often the American Elm, because of the drooping branch type, will be wider than it is tall, especially if growing in the open or above other trees. The leaves can be smooth to slightly rough, dull green (not shiny) and anywhere from 3 to 8 inches long (the majority being 4-6 inches), even on the same tree. The wood is light colored all the way through, with very little noticeable difference in the heart-wood. The easiest way to identify American Elm is by the bark (if present); removing a piece of bark and breaking it will reveal alternating layers of dark and creamy-white… American Elm is the only native elm with this type of bark.
SLIPPERY ELM (Red Elm)
Usually crotches higher than the American Elm (often over 20 feet), and has fewer main beams (often only 2). The crotches form more of a ‘U’ shape and the branches lack the drooping-over of the American Elm. A mature Slippery Elm will always be taller than it is wide. The leaves are rough, like 60-grit sandpaper, dull green (not shiny) and anywhere from 4 to 7 inches long (the majority being 5-7 inches), even on the same tree. The wood is reddish-brownish in color with a narrow outer white wood. Breaking the bark will reveal the same layering as the American Elm, but without the creamy-white layers.
ROCK ELM
Often does not crotch, growing with a straight, tall trunk, rarely leaning. If it does crotch it will be more in the ‘V’ shape of the American Elm and usually very high up. For the most part, smaller than the American Elm, but can grow to impressive size. The leaves will identify a Rock Elm; being smooth and shiny dark green on top and anywhere from 2 to 4 inches long (the majority being around 3 inches). The canopy is very narrow when compared to other elms, almost cylinder like. Older branches usually have cork-like wings on them. The wood is light colored for 2/3’s or so in, where the center turns much darker. The Rock Elm has the heaviest, densest wood of all the elms. The bark is tight and interlaced, not normally as thick as other elms.
ROCK ELM WINGS
