American Elm (Ulmus americana)

The most common and most popular of the North American elms is the American elm, a tree valued for its ornamental shade qualities, which often grows to 37 m (120 ft). Five other species from which numerous horticultural varieties have been developed, are native to the United States. The Chinese elm is a small half-evergreen tree, frequently planted in the South and in California. The red (or slippery) elm is a common species of medium height. The rock (or cork) elm, valued for its corky, winged twigs, is hardy in the New England area and northern portions of the United States.

The American elm has earned a morbid reputation.  Because its wood is so tough, it was used for centuries to make coffins.  It was also a favorite hanging tree since it tends to produce horizontal limbs close to the ground, an ideal gallows.  In addition, it has a habit of dropping large limbs without notice.  The old British saying, “I’ll meet you under the elm,” refers to the dropping limbs and really means, “I’m not meeting you at all.  Do you think I want to get crushed?”

 In recent years the elm population in the United States has been markedly decreased by the Dutch elm disease. The disease was introduced into the United States accidentally from the Netherlands. Although Dutch elm disease can not be eliminated, effective control programs can slow the spread of the disease and greatly reduce the loss of trees. Several disease-resistant varieties of elm have also been developed.