Smoothleaf elm is a medium-sized, fast-growing riparian tree in the elm family (Ulmaceae) native to Europe. It needs full sun and is adaptable to a wide range of soil and pH types including salt, but prefers moist fertile soils with good drainage. It can withstand wet soil conditions for short periods of time. The mature shape is oval with a straight trunk and slender ascending branches. Best if pruned in September to October. Smoothleaf Elm is not resistant to Dutch elm disease and elm leaf beetles and is rarely offered in the nursery trade. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers , " a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Ulmus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
more than 60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 70 ft. 0 in. - 90 ft. 0 in. | Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Oval; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong; Ovate
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Oblong to elliptical 2"-5" long and 1"-3" wide acuminate with doubly serrate margins. Modest yellow fall color.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Insignificant; Raceme
Flower detail
Inconspicuous flowers in winter. Has separate male and female flowers on the same tree
Bloom time
Winter
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Pale green flat papery samara notched at the top with one seed.
Bark detail
The bark of the trunk is rough, furrowed lightly in older trees to form a block pattern
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Some branches have corky warts. Red-brown to black winter buds, short to ovoid, pubescent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Central Asia, Africa
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Samara
Uses (ethnobotany)
Wood is used to make furniture, flooring and for firewood. Its water resistance makes it a good choice for shipbuilding and underwater construction projects.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Riparian
Landscape theme
Rain Garden
Design feature
Shade Tree; Street Tree
Garden tags
#riparian #dendrology #deciduous #fast growing #drought tolerant #street tree #shade tree #salt tolerant #deciduous tree #wet soils tolerant #furniture wood #disease problems #full sun tolerant #frequent disease problems #high maintenance #frequent insect problems
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Smaller European Elm Bark Beetle; Elm Sawfly; Larger Elm Leaf Beetle; Native Elm Bark Beetle; Elm Lace Bug; Mourning Cloak Butterfly / Spiny Elm Caterpillar; Elm Leafminer; Elm-Grass Root Aphid; Elm Zigzag Sawfly; Common Insect Pests of Elm in North Carolina
Disease problems
Dutch Elm Disease; Common Diseases of Elm Trees in North Carolina