A fairly common large tree of bottomland forests. Before the Dutch Elm Disease hit, it was familiar as a common, vase-shaped street tree.

Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07.

The leaf bases are very lopsided, like those of Slippery Elm (U. rubra), but the leaves are normally smooth above, not rough.

Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., VA 7/13/07.

Also compare with the common Winged Elm (U. alata), which has shorter, narrower leaves. Durham Co., NC 6/8/03.

Mecklenburg Co., VA 5/2/05.

The flowers, which are produced in early spring before the leaves emerge, are green, like those of Slippery Elm, and unlike the dull reddish tinged flowers of the Winged Elm. American Elm samaras (fruits) are notched at the tip and have ciliate margins; those of Slippery Elm are entire and smooth.

Orange Co., NC 3/9/08.

Bark of a large tree.

Mecklenburg Co., VA 5/2/05.