1 / 12

Ulmus minor

field elm

Ulmaceae

Europe, North Africa, western and central Asia

Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Ulmus minor is a deciduous tree of the elm family, reaching 60-100 feet (18-30 m) tall with a domed to irregular crown and often a suckering base. The glossy, dark green leaves are 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, oval with a doubly toothed margin and an asymmetric base where one side meets the leaf stalk lower than the other. Small reddish, petalless flowers open in clusters in late winter to early spring before the leaves, followed by flat, winged seeds (samaras) 0.4-0.7 inch (10-18 mm) wide with the seed set toward the notched tip. Bark is grey-brown and develops deep, criss-crossing ridges with age. The tree suckers readily from the roots, forming thickets and regrowing after the trunk dies. Across Europe it has been devastated by Dutch elm disease, a fungal infection spread by bark beetles that kills most mature trees before they reach full size, so surviving specimens are now mostly young suckers. It tolerates a wide range of soils, drought, wind, and urban conditions but remains vulnerable to the disease.

Native Range

Native to southern, western, and central Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia, from the British Isles and Iberia east to Iran. It grows in lowland woods, hedgerows, riverbanks, and floodplains.

Suggested Uses

Used as a shade and street tree, in hedgerows, and in windbreaks on a wide range of sites, spaced 25-40 feet (7.5-12 m) apart. Disease-resistant selections are planted where Dutch elm disease is present.

How to Identify

Recognized by oval, doubly toothed leaves with a markedly asymmetric base, glossy dark green above. Flat, rounded winged seeds appear in spring before the leaves expand, and the trunk often bears suckers and ridged grey-brown bark. The lopsided leaf base and ridged twigs separate elms from similar broadleaf trees.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 100'

Width/Spread40' - 60'

Reaches mature size in approximately 40 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowers in late winter to early spring, usually February to April, before the leaves emerge. The clusters of small reddish flowers lack petals and are wind-pollinated. Winged seeds ripen quickly and fall by late spring.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand chalk

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

30-50 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade on most soils, from clay to sand and chalk, at a pH of 5.5-8.0, tolerating both wet and dry ground. It withstands drought, wind, salt, and compacted urban soil once established. The main constraint is Dutch elm disease, which kills most mature trees; planting disease-resistant cultivars or hybrids lowers the risk. It is grown from seed, suckers, or cuttings and grows quickly when young. Hardy in zones 4-8, it leafs out early and may be caught by late frosts. Roots are vigorous and can lift paving or invade drains near structures.

Pruning

Prune in late summer or autumn to avoid the spring sap flow and the beetle activity that spreads Dutch elm disease. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches and any unwanted suckers. Formative pruning when young establishes a sound branch structure.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall