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Ulmaceae
Ulmus procera
Specimen Size: 95.6ft tall, 36.6in in diameter.
Location: Standing in the lawn on the upper end of the Sylvan Grove. On the historic tour our specimens lined Stevens Way. They have since been removed due to disease.
Historical Background: In the past, English elm was found across the British landscape, but has been significantly reduced in numbers by Dutch elm disease. These trees were associated with death due to their ability to drop dead branches suddenly. The wood was used for coffins, boats, furniture, pipes, floorboards, and more. The original specimens of this tour (those shown in the photo) are likely to be removed shortly having contracted the disease. This specimen is inoculated against the pathogen.
Non-native
Native Range: England
Identifying Features: Large deciduous tree with a broad dense crown rounded by spreading branches, reaching heights of about 80’ (24m) and a base diameter of 3’ (1m). The dark green leaves are broad and elliptical but with often uneven sides and toothed margins and pinnate venation (10-12 veins on each side). The bottom sides of the leaves are lighter and less rough, covered with fine hairs. They turn a bright yellow to orange in autumn.
Identifying Features In Depth:
Form: Broad, rounded, and dense crown rising from a straight trunk and very upright branches rises to a height of as much as 80’ (24m).
Leaves: Grow in two rows to a length between 2 and 4” (5-8cm) and width of 1-2” (3-5cm). Tops are rough and dark green, bottoms are lights and softer, with small hairs. The tips taper slightly and the margins are double toothed (with large teeth interspersed by smaller teeth). 10-12 pinnate veins run down each side of the leaf. In autumn they turn a bright yellow to orange color. Leaves are connected via a petiole of about 5mm.
Bark: Finely cracked into small furrowed rectangular plates of a grey to dark brown.
Reproductive Bodies: Flowers are produced and are bisexual, with 4 or more pinkish petals and lead to small double winged fruits 1.2 cm in width and notched at the apex, where the seed is set, however, fertile seeds are rare, and the tree reproduces mainly through sucker growth.
Below is the description found for this species on the original Brockman Memorial Tree Tour:
Historical Tree Tour Information: English Elms shade Stevens Way in front of Roberts Hall. Procera means lofty. Their lower branches were removed, but numerous suckers reappear annually, often developing distinctive corky flanges. The leaves are dark, raspy, and lopsided. Late in fall they fade to an unspectacular gold before dropping. In earliest spring the twigs become wreathed with tiny purplish flowers, followed by thousands of pale wafer-like winged seeds. The seeds are always sterile, and decay readily. This elm is reproduced solely by suckers.
English Elms prefer full sun and moist soils and are tolerant of atmospheric pollution. The inner bark of this tree is tough and has been used to make ropes and mats. The wood of English Elm is close-grained, has few knots, and is durable under water. Because of this the wood has been used to make water pipes, wheels, mallet heads, and ship keels. The leaves, fruits, and bark of this tree have been used for many edible and medicinal purposes.
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