Siberian Elm

Ulmaceae

LIFE FORM: Tree

NATIVITY: Northeast Asia

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Grows to 80 feet tall; coarsely toothed leaves are lopsided at the base and rough to the touch; leaves are approximately one third the length of American elm leaves; constantly dropping small branches.

FLOWERS:

Inconspicuous green flowers in very early spring; wind pollinated.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Papery, wind-dispersed samaras in late spring

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Minimally maintained public parks and open space; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; chain-link fence lines; railroad tracks with ballast substrate.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Heat reduction in paved areas; salt tolerance along roadways; drought tolerance on compacted soils; air pollution tolerance.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

This species is extremely cold hardy.