Massachusetts State Tree
American Elm
(Ulmaceae Ulmus americana)
Leaf
Alternate, 3 to 6 inches long, 1 to 3 inches wide; margin coarsely and sharply doubly serrate, base of leaf conspicuously inequilateral; upper surface glabrous or slightly scabrous, paler and downy beneath.
Flower
Appears March to May before leaf buds open, in fascicles of 3 to 5.
Fruit
Rounded samaras, 3/8 to 1/2 inch across, deeply notched at apex, hairless except for margin; appears April to May.
Twig
Slender, glabrous, slightly zigzag, reddish-brown; buds over 1/4 inch
long, reddish-brown with darker edged scales, often placed a little to one side of the twig.
Bark
Dark, ashy-gray, flat-topped ridges separated by diamond-shaped fissures; outer bark when sectioned shows distinct, alternating, buff colored and reddish-brown patches. When young it is often quite spongy.
Form
In the open, the trunk is usually divided into several large, ascending
and arching limbs, ending in a maze of graceful drooping branchlets.
Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen,
Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson;Silvics reprinted from Ag
Handbook 654; range map source information