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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

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)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Green

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Seeds, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, 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. Propagation: seed, cutting.

Comments

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 2) https://greg.app/propagate-american-elm/
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

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason