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Native Plant Society of Texas

American Elm

Ulmus americana

Other common name(s):

White Elm, Soft Elm, Water Elm, Common Elm

Family:

Ulmaceae (Elm Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

72
to
100
ft.

Spread

40
to
70
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Loam, Moist, Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Grassland, Riparian, Wetland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green, Red

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Larval Host, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Butterflies, Moths

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Fast growth rate. Wonderful large shade tree that supports a variety of wildlife. Likes moist soils, but will tolerate periods of drought. Leaves provide golden fall color. Subject to Dutch Elm disease. Native habitat: stream banks, lowland areas, alluvial woods, swamp forests, deciduous woodlands, fencerows, pastures, old fields, waste areas, wooded floodplains, and along streams.

Description

Blooms February-April. A large, graceful tree, with many spreading branches, forming a very broad, rounded, flat-topped or vase-like crown. Oval to elliptical leaves, pointed at the tip, strongly asymmetrical at the base, margins coarsely doubly toothed. Small, hairy flowers occur in drooping clusters of 3-4, appearing before the leaves. The fruit a one-seeded, narrowly winged samara. Larval host: Morning Cloak, Columbia Silkmoth, Question Mark, Painted Lady, Comma butterflies.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Ulmus americana var. floridana, Ulmus floridana

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48, 53. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 347. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ULAM. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Ulmus+americana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=23682&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19049#null

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification Stratify seeds for 2-3 months to boost germination success. Transplant in dormancy with a robust root system and moist soil. Plant your stratified seeds shallowly, about 1/16 inch deep, and tamp the soil gently. Keeping the bed moist is non-negotiable until germination wraps up. If you're in a semiarid region, consider transferring year-old seedlings to containers for a better survival rate. Collect samaras, the elm's winged seeds, right after they hit the ground in spring. Look for seeds that are undamaged and free from disease. Remember, proximity matters; American Elm seeds typically fall within a 300-foot radius of the parent tree. 1) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=ulmaceae-ulmus-2026&referer=wildflower
Softwood Cutting First, identify a branch that’s got new growth on it. Inspect closely to see the difference between old growth and new growth. Find a piece of branch that’s not firm, brown old growth, it’ll be green but by now it will have gone semi hard. Snip a cutting just below a node, make sure the width of the cutting is not too thin, 1/4 inch width is fine, and they should be 6-8 inches long. Remove leaves except for 1-2 at the top, if they are too big cut the leaves in half. Pruning blades must be sharp and clean to ensure a clean cut that reduces the risk of infection and damage to the parent plant. Pruning shears must be sterilized between cuts to prevent the spread of disease. Treat with indolebutyric acid or by leaf bud cuttings. In a test, greenhouse-grown stock rooted easier than field-grown stock. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone, to enhance root growth for a stronger establishment. Maintaining high humidity is crucial for cuttings to prevent desiccation. A dome or plastic bag placed over the containers creates a humid environment that supports the initial growth of american elm's cuttings. Once the american elm cutting has rooted and shows new growth, gradually acclimate it to less humid conditions by removing the plastic cover for longer periods each day. After a few weeks, transplant the young american elm into a larger pot or directly into a prepared site in the garden with well-draining soil. Continue to water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, and protect the tree from strong winds. As american elm grows, provide support if necessary, and monitor for pests and diseases. Pruning to develop a strong branch structure can begin after the first year of growth. Take in June. 1) https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_2/ulmus/americana.htm#:~:text=American%20elm%20can%20be%20propagated,cuttings%20has%20not%20been%20effective. 2_ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jeh/article/30/2/73/79821/Vegetative-Propagation-of-American-Elm-Ulmus 3) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Ulmus_americana.html 3) https://www.ecofriendlyincome.com/blog/how-to-propagate-white-elm-ulmus-americana
Seed Scarification Scarify the seeds to improve germination rates. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Ulmus_americana.html

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason