Common Name: Wych Elm

General Information

Ulmus glabra is a deciduous tree with spreading branches and a broad, rounded crown; it can grow 20 - 30 metres tall, exceptionally to 40 metres, with a bole that can reach 180cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in parks and large gardens - some smaller-growing cultivars have been produced[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - Norway to Spain, east to west Siberia, the Caucasus, Turkey, Iran and Syria

Habitat

Woods, hedges and by streams, commoner in the west and north[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[]. Prefers a deep or heavy soil that is moist but not waterlogged and does not thrive if the soil is markedly acid[]. Very wind resistant and tolerant of maritime exposure[].
Trees cast a dense shade[].Unlike other European elms, this species rarely produces suckers, but it responds well to coppicing by producing new growth from the basal stump[, ].
The wych elm is subject to 'Dutch elm disease' (though less so than Ulmus procera), 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 hybridize freely, the pollen stores well and can be kept for use with species that flower at different times.
A very ornamental tree[]
Elms are food plants for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera species[].
A good tree for growing grapes into[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked[, ]. They can be a little bit bitter, especially if not very young, and have a mucilaginous texture[]. They make a nice addition to a mixed salad[].

Immature fruits, used just after they are formed, can be eaten raw[]. An aromatic, unusual flavour, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and the breath smelling pleasant[]. They contain about 34.4% protein, 28.2% fat, 17% carbohydrate, 5% ash[]. The fruit is about 2.5cm long[].

Inner bark - mucilaginous[]. No more details are given but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[].

Medicinal

The inner bark is astringent, demulcent and mildly diuretic[]. It is used both internally and externally in the treatment of diarrhoea, rheumatism, wounds, piles etc and is also used as a mouthwash in the treatment of ulcers[, , ]. The inner bark is harvested from branches 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use[].

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Occasional feelings of inadequacy', 'Despondency' and 'Exhaustion from over-striving for perfection'[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the inner bark[]. It is used in the treatment of eczema[].

Other Uses

A fibre from the inner bark is used for mats and making ropes[].

Wood - very durable under water, fairly hard, elastic, withstands abrasion and salt water. Used for water pipes, wheels, mallet heads, ships keels etc[, , , ].

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[].