Common Name:

General Information

Ulmus minor is a deciduous shrub or a tree with a pyramidal to upright crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The wood is sometimrs harvested on a commercial basis. It is extensively grown in parks, large gardens and as a roadside tree[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Eurasia - Sweden to Portugal, east to Kazakhstan, the Caucasus, Turkey and the Levant; N. Africa - Algeria, Libya.

Habitat

Mixed and broad-leaved woods, wood margins, coppices, in mountain areas on floodplains, in the steppe zone in gully woods[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
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[]. The plant has relatively modest moisture requirements[].
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 hybridize freely, the pollen stores well and can be kept for use with species that flower at different times[].

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[].

This species is closely related to Ulmus procera and the two are often considered as part of the same aggregate species. The following uses, listed under Ulmus procera, almost certainly also apply here[],

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 - 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[].

Inner bark - cooked. A mucilaginous texture[]. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[, ].

A tea is made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

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


This species is closely related to Ulmus procera and the two are often considered as part of the same aggregate species. The following uses, listed under Ulmus procera, almost certainly also apply here[],

The dried inner bark is anti-inflammatory, astringent, demulcent, mildly diuretic, resolvent, tonic and vulnerary[, , ]. 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 sap has been used in the treatment of baldness[].

The leaves are astringent and have been powdered then used in the treatment of haemorrhoids[]. A decoction is used to treat reddened and inflamed skin as well as to relieve various skin disorders[].

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 as an astringent[] and as a treatment for eczema[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is cultivated with a view to consolidating the slopes of gullies and ravines[].

Other Uses

The wood is very firm and is used for miscellaneous woodwork. It is used in the production of various small articles[].


This species is closely related to Ulmus procera and the two are often considered as part of the same aggregate species. The following uses, listed under Ulmus procera, almost certainly also apply here[],

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

Tannin and a dyestuff are obtained from the inner bark[]. No details of the colour are given.

The wood is close-grained, free from knots, very durable under water, fairly hard, elastic, withstands abrasion and salt water, but does not take a high polish. It is used for water pipes, wheels, mallet heads, ships keels etc[, , ].
The wood makes a good fuel[].

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[].