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 Appearance:
Deciduous tree, 30-60' high with an open rounded crown and slender,
spreading branches. Bark is dark gray and shallowly furrowed on a mature
tree. Silver-gray twigs have a zig-zag shape with a leaf bud at each
turn. Leaves:
Alternate, small (1-2"), elliptic, toothed, short-pointed at the tip,
slightly uneven at the base (much less than American elm). Flower:
Greenish, lacking petals, occurring in small, compact, drooping clusters
of 2-5, appear before leaves develop. Fruit:
Winged, round, and smooth, contains one seed; fruit hangs in clusters.
Root:
Extensive, shallow. |
Siberian elm can invade and dominate disturbed
dry and mesic prairies in just a few years. Seed germination rate
is high and seedlings establish quickly in sparsely vegetated areas.
It grows readily in disturbed areas with poor soils and low moisture.
A native of eastern Asia, Siberian elm was introduced to the U.S in
the 1860s for its hardiness, fast growth, and adaptability to various
moisture conditions. It is still sold commercially as a shelterbelt
and windbreak tree. |
Wisconsin Manual of Control Recommendations for
Ecologically Invasive Plants, 1997 |
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