This species is closely related to Ulmus thomasii[].

Common Name: Winged Elm

General Information

Ulmus alata is a deciduous tree with an open, rounded crown; it usually grows 10 - 15 metres tall, but has been known to reach 30 metres. The bole is up to 60cm in diameter[, , ].
This is one of the four species that are harvested commercially for their wood, known collectively as 'rock elm'. The other three species are Ulmus thomasii (which is the actual rock elm), Ulmus crassifolia and Ulmus serotina. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, and is often planted as a shade tree in the southern United States[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southeastern and Central N. America - Kansas to Virginia, south to Texas and Florida

Habitat

Alluvial woods and deciduous woodlands, especially dry, gravelly, acidic woodlands and glades, less often in alluvial soils on the borders of swamps and banks of streams; along fencerows, waste areas; at elevations up to 600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	13.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The natural range of Ulmas alata has a climate that varies from warm in the South to moderately cold in the North. The region is principally within the humid climatic province of the southeastern United States, with a mean annual precipitation ranging from 1,020 - 1,520mm, with half or more of this occurring during the growing season. Throughout the greater portion of the tree's range, the growing season averages from 180 to 300 days, and average annual temperatures are from 13 - 21°c[].
Prefers a position in full sun, but tolerates light shade[, ]. Grows best in a moist, fertile, well-drained loamy soil, but can adapt to most soils and drier sites[]. Plants are tolerant of urban pollution[].
A fast-growing tree in its native range[].
The plant survives grazing as bushes and sprouts prolifically from the base after a fire[].
This species is susceptible to 'Dutch elm disease'[], a disease that has destroyed the greater part of all the native elm trees growing in countries such as Britain and USA. The disease is spread by means of beetles. Mature trees killed back by the disease will often regrow from suckers, but these too will succumb when they get larger. There is no effective cure (1992) for the problem, but most E. Asian, though not Himalayan, species are resistant (though not immune) to the disease so the potential exists to use these resistant species to develop new resistant hybrids with the native species[].
The various species of this genus hybridize freely with each other and pollen is easily saved, so even those species with different flowering times can be hybridized[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. We have no specific information for this species, but the very young leaves of all Ulmus species can be eaten, and generally have a mild flavour[].

Medicinal

Collectively, the bark of all species in the genus Ulmus may have anti-inflammatory effects in the gut[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is an invader of forest openings, old fields, and rangelands[]. It is thus a natural pioneer species and can be used in reforestation projects within its native range[].

Other Uses

The inner bark is very fibrous and can be used as a string[, , , ].

Wood - close-grained, heavy, hard, not strong, brittle, difficult to split. It weighs about 46lb per cubic foot, is not considered to be as strong as other elms, but is used for tool handles, wheel hubs etc[, , , , , ].
For commercial purposes the wood of winged elm is classed as hard elm or rock elm (5,13). Elm wood is used principally for furniture, hardwood dimension and flooring, boxes, and crates. Elm's excellent resistance to splitting has made it a choice wood for the manufacture of high quality hockey sticks. The manufacture of furniture continues to increase the demand for elm for bent parts of chairs such as rockers and arms[].

Propagation

Seed - if sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, it usually germinates within a few days[]. Stored seed does not germinate so well and should be sown in early spring[]. The seed can also be harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the tree) and sown immediately in a cold frame. It should germinate very quickly and will produce a larger plant by the end of the growing season[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants should not be allowed to grow for more than two years in a nursery bed since they form a tap root and will then move badly.
Layering of suckers or coppiced shoots[].