Ulmus laevis (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to dappled shade
Flowering period: Early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 30m
Eventual Spread: 30m
Hardiness: 3b – 9a
Family: Ulmaceae
Ulmus laevis is a large deciduous tree with a loose branch structure and rounded crown. Its mid green leaves are alternate, ovate with serrate margins, has a lopsided base, up to 10cm long and 7cm broad. Its leaves turn bright yellow before they fall in autumn. Its branches are weaker than those of other Elms and my break in high winds. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 2m. Its bark is brown/ grey and furrowed. Its flowers do not have petals, appear in clusters, are up to 4mm across and are wind pollinated. Its fruit is a winged sumara, is up to 15mm long and 10mm broad. Its roots are shallow and sucker which aids its spread.
Ulmus laevis Leaf (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Ulmus levis, commonly known as the European White Elm, Fluttering Elm, Spreading Elm, Eurasian Elm or the Russian Elm, is native to central and eastern Europe (introduced into the UK) and south west Russia. In its native habitat it grows at the edges of rivers. This tree has little inherent resistance to Dutch Elm disease, although it is not favoured by the vector bark beetle, this makes it less likely to contract this disease.
The etymological root of the binomial name Ulmus is from the Latin name for the Elm. Laevis is derived from the Latin levis meaning smooth, in reference to the upper surface of the leaf.
The landscape architect may find Ulmus laevis useful as a parkland Elm tree with attractive autumn colour, it is less likely to contract Dutch Elm Disease than other European Elms. It is particularly useful in wet soils, including flood plains.
Ulmus laevis Bark (18/11/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Ulmus laevis is a larval host for a number of butterfly species.
Ulmus laevis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It is tolerant of waterlogged soils.
Ulmus laevis requires little maintenance.