Siberian elm

Ulmus pumila L.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Ulmus pumila is a deciduous tree up to 70 ft. (21.3 m) in height. The crown is open and rounded with slender, spreading branches. The bark is light-gray with irregular furrows.
Foliage
The leaves are less than 3 in. (7.6 cm) long, alternate, simple, singly-serrate, and dark-green in color. Unlike most elms the leaf base is usually symmetrical.
Flowers
Green, inconspicuous, apetalous (without petals) flowers develop, in drooping clusters, in the spring.
Fruit
Fruits are flat, circular and 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) wide and each contains a single seed.
Ecological Threat
Ulmus pumila invades pastures, road-sides and prairies throughout the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the United States. The trees are very drought and cold resistant allowing it to grow in areas where other trees cannot. The abundant, wind-dispersed seeds allow this plant to spread rapidly. It forms dense thickets that close open areas and displace native vegetation, thereby reducing forage for wild animals and livestock. Ulmus pumila is native to northern Asia and was first introduced into North America in the 1860s. It has been planted throughout the Midwest and Great Plains for windbreaks and lumber.

Resources


Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org


Foliage
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation In undeveloped land near house
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Tree(s)
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s)
USDA NRCS , USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seed(s)
Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Bark
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Tree(s)
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Distribution