ELM * ULMUS
- Elms are deciduous, rarely half-evergreen,
ornamental trees chiefly grown for their handsome foliage and
often planted as shade and street trees.
- Mostly tall trees, long-lived and are very valuable for park
planting and avenue trees. A favorite for street planting and
as a shade tree for dwelling houses in the northeastern states.
It is the most characteristic tree of this region. Its habit
is at once majestic and graceful.
- About 18 species of elms are knows, distributed through the
colder and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, in North
America south to S. Mexico, but none west of the Rocky Mountains.
- Unfortunately many insects and fungi prey upon the elm, especially
on the American elm. One of the most destructive is the elm leaf-beetle,
which destroys the foliage. The canker-worm is also serious.
Trees should be sprayed. They bear pruning well, but generally,
do not need much attention of this kind.
- Varieties go up to 120 ft.