The Elm
The Wood Guide · The forests
The forest series · tree portraitThe elm
For centuries the avenue tree of the Low Countries, and in a few decades almost entirely wiped out by a single fungus. Now cautiously returning.
- Ulmus
- Dutch elm disease since the 1920s
- Wood that does not split
The elm in brief
Of the genus Ulmus. Tolerates salt, wind and compacted urban soil like no other broadleaf tree — which is why it became the avenue tree of coastal areas and polders.
What makes the elm unique in forestry is its interlocked grain: the fibres run in alternating directions through one another. That makes the wood almost impossible to split, and explains why elm was used for centuries for wheel hubs, chair seats and blocks that have to take blows.
From the 1920s that same elm was struck by Dutch elm disease, a fungus spread by the elm bark beetle. The fungus blocks the sap vessels, after which the tree can die within a single season. Millions of elms disappeared from the European landscape.
Amsterdam is known as a city of elms and still has tens of thousands of them, thanks to decades of consistent management: removing diseased trees immediately, controlling the beetles and planting resistant varieties. That shows the disease can be kept in check — but only with sustained effort.
- Botanical
- Ulmus (field elm, wych elm, European white elm)
- Tolerates
- salt, wind, compacted soil
- Wood
- interlocked and therefore almost impossible to split
- Threat
- Dutch elm disease, spread by the elm bark beetle
- Since
- the 1920s in Europe
- Now
- resistant varieties are being planted again
To be fair: planting an elm is still a gamble. Even resistant varieties are not immune, only less susceptible, and the disease is still around. Plant one knowing it may stand for twenty years rather than two hundred.
In pictures · By leaf and fruit
Schematic drawing.
By leaf and fruit
Lopsided leaf
The most unmistakable feature: the leaf base is asymmetrical, as if the leaf sits crookedly on its stalk. No other native tree shows this so clearly.
Early fruit
Round, papery winged seeds that fall as early as late spring — before the leaves are fully grown.
Rough bark
Deeply fissured in a network pattern on older trees.
Site
Naturally along rivers and in the coastal zone, but it tolerates urban soil and sea wind better than almost any other broadleaf tree.
Why elm does not split
Interlocked grain
The fibres run in alternating directions through one another, so the wood absorbs blows and hardly splits. Hence its traditional use in wheel hubs and chopping blocks.
Indestructible under water
Just like alder: permanently under water, elm lasts for centuries. London's water mains were once made of hollowed-out elm trunks.
Lively figure
Distinctly ring-porous with a warm, restless grain — sought after for veneer and furniture.
Not durable above ground
Outdoors and dry, elm is vulnerable. Indoors or permanently under water is where it belongs.
Because of Dutch elm disease, elm wood is rare and expensive. What there is often comes from felled diseased trees — and that wood is still perfectly usable, because the fungus attacks the vessels, not the strength.
Frequently asked questions about the elm
What is Dutch elm disease?
A fungus spread by the elm bark beetle that blocks the tree's sap vessels. An infected elm can die within a single season. The disease struck Europe from the 1920s.
How do I recognise an elm?
By the lopsided leaf: the leaf base is clearly asymmetrical. No other native tree shows this so clearly.
Why does elm not split?
Because of the interlocked grain: the fibres run in alternating directions through one another. That is why it was used for wheel hubs and chopping blocks.
Can you still plant elms?
Yes, there are resistant varieties. They are less susceptible but not immune — the disease is still around.
The elm in perspective
A tree that shaped the landscape and largely vanished from it in fifty years.
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