Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm)

Fast-growing, Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm) is a large, broadly upright, deciduous tree with oval, serrated, dark green leaves, up to 2-3 in. long (5-7 cm), that turn butter-yellow in the fall. Inconspicuous tiny red flowers appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. They give way to papery, winged seeds that disperse their seedlings over a wide area and can form large colonies. Tough, tolerant of cold, heat, aridity or poor soil, somewhat resistant to the Dutch elm disease, Siberian Elm is, however weak-wooded, its branches being brittle and easily damaged by strong winds, ice or snow. It is also susceptible to insect attack, especially leaf beetles. This is a poor ornamental tree which could be used in holding soil for erosion control.

The Elm tree belongs to the Ulmaceae family, which includes Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra), Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia),  American Elm (Ulmus Americana), Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia), Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila), and Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata).

• Grows up to 50-70 ft. tall (15-21 m) and 40-70 ft. wide (12-21 m).
• A full sun lover, this tree is easily grown in rich, moist, well-drained loams. Adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions including wet and dry sites. Drought tolerant.
• Perfect as a specimen plant.
• Keep an eye out for aphids, leaf hoppers, gall mites, elm leaf beetle. This Elm species is partially resistant to Dutch elm disease, a fatal disease.
• No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots.
• This plant is listed as a noxious weed in several US states and should not be moved or grown under conditions that would involve danger of dissemination.
• Native to eastern Siberia, northern China, Turkestan.
• Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
• Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.