What is elm: a description of the tree, what it looks like and where it grows smooth elm

Elm or elm (Latin Ulmus) is a genus of deciduous trees belonging to the elm family. There are forty species around the world. It appeared about twenty million years ago in the territory of modern Central Asia, from where it spread over most of the Northern Hemisphere to regions of North America and Eurasia with a temperate and mountainous climate. Trees of this genus are cultivated. Their leaves and bark are used to make medicines, and elm wood is a valuable material for making furniture.

Another name for the tree is mountain elm.

origin of name

The elm tree, a photo and description of which is presented in this article, is a member of the elm genus. The modern name comes from the Celtic name "elm", which later spread throughout the world, having undergone minor changes. So, in German, these trees are known under the name "Ulme", and in Russia each individual species of elm received its own name.

It is noteworthy that the most famous of them is the elm. Literally the word is translated as "flexible rod", which fully corresponds to the structure of this tree.

Elm family

Ilm (Ulmus) is a genus of large trees and shrubs, most of which throw off their leaves for the winter. The most famous species are large trees with coarse, thick bark, which are deeply cracked. Cork growths can develop on the branches of most southern trees.

The root system is very strong. Individual roots can go so deep that they often reach the level of groundwater flow, and the mass lies in close proximity to the surface. Knowing what an elm looks like, you can easily distinguish it from other trees in nature.

The leaves are pointed, with many denticles and drooping stipules. The flowers are rather inconspicuous. Depending on the type of elm, they can be collected in bunches or capitate inflorescences. Pollination is mainly due to wind. As a result of a long process, a single-seeded fruit in a thin shell is tied on the tree, often additionally protected by a lionfish.

Planting an elm hedge

Planting a tree will not be difficult, no additional conditions, complex manipulations - just a simple planting, prepared soil.

The trees are very large, so the crowns need a lot of space. You should also consider the height of an adult specimen. The average interval is kept at about a meter.
Dig holes, or one trench. If the hedge is planned to be small, you can simply make holes, but if the planting will be carried out in large quantities, it is much more convenient to plant all the seedlings in a single trench at once.
The depth of the hole (trench) is about seventy centimeters, two-year-old seedlings have a sufficiently developed root system that cannot be damaged. You can not bend the roots, the bad ones are immediately removed to prevent decay of the entire rhizome.
The trench is about half a meter wide. This size is enough to lay the roots.
Unpretentious elms can easily tolerate the lack of drainage. Moisture, dryness are the usual growing conditions, so filling up the drainage is unnecessary red tape. It is most helpful to sprinkle a little sand on the bottom.Sandy soil dries out the soil, conducts moisture well, removes excess water, preventing root rot.

After a little refining of the bottom, you can place the seedlings themselves. It is important to plant potentially tall species strictly vertically, otherwise when the crowns subsequently "meet", they will greatly interfere with each other.
Sprinkle the roots with soil. It's best to add some humus, although not necessary. An unassuming tree will do just fine without additional feeding.
Then the plant is completely covered, trampling the ground a little.

After planting, a permanent watering system is organized, it is especially important to thoroughly water the first month while the rooting process takes place. Ten liters per square meter is the optimal volume of water.
The most favorable landing periods are June-July. This fact is quite rare, because most plants like spring or autumn planting, however, elms prefer well-warmed soil.
After the end of planting work, the soil is mulched with peat or sawdust, covering the root space with an abundant layer of about ten centimeters.

The first pruning is done before the start of the growing season, until April.
The first really serious pruning is done after four years of active rooting. Previously, dried shoots are simply cut off. Places of cuts are lubricated with garden varnish, otherwise fresh cuts are very fond of fungal diseases, various woody bacteria.
It is necessary to maintain a healthy type of planting, otherwise the attacks of a spider mite, which is difficult to remove, are possible.

Elms propagate by cuttings, one tree gives about ten cuttings, so you can save a lot by discarding the purchase of seedlings. Among other things, the plant is a long-liver, capable of living for more than fifty years. Some species are known, the age of which exceeds five hundred, even eight hundred years. These centenarians, of course, are inhabitants of garden and park zones, botanical gardens, which can accommodate a gigantic tree and create the most necessary conditions. However, even ordinary garden plots become a place of active growth of tall, long-lived species.

Elm (tree): description

Smooth elm (common) is a deciduous tree on which, with the onset of heat, dense clusters of small green inflorescences arise. It is worth noting that flower buds are much larger than leaf buds and are brown-brown shoots covered with a rather thin glossy shell, which is later covered with a network of cracks.

In most cases, the elm does not exceed 35 m in height and 1 m in diameter. The crown is dense, wide, cylindrical. The photo gives only a rough idea of what an elm tree looks like, however, having familiarized yourself with the image, you can easily distinguish the elm from other trees in the forest or on city alleys.

Its leaves rarely exceed 15 cm in length. Their rich dark green color disappears with the onset of cold weather, and they acquire a yellow-brown hue. While the tree is in the active growth stage, its bark is quite thin and smooth, but the older the tree, the more rough it becomes. As soon as the elm is finally strong, the rich gray-brown hue will be covered with many deep cracks.

Large-fruited

Ilm large-fruited lives in the East of Russia, Mongolia, China and the Korean Peninsula. It usually grows in river valleys, on wooded and rocky slopes. This is a shrub or small tree, the maximum height of which is 11 m, with a large spreading crown. The bark is gray, brown or yellowish. The leaves are large, shiny, rough above, and smooth below.

The tree owes its name to its fruits, large hairy lionfish that adorn it. A very thermophilic plant. This species of elm differs from its relatives in its extreme resistance to drought.Therefore, it is actively used to consolidate the soil of quarries, embankments and rocky slopes.

Advantages of elm trees

Elm and ash trees get along with ease even on difficult soil types. They have excellent frost resistance, due to which they practically do not suffer even from severe frosts, they tolerate drought and dry air well. They can grow in conditions of strong soil salinity, but the fastest growth is observed if these trees grow in deep and loose soils.

Due to the fact that they are xerophytes, trees are maximally resistant to drought. Ilms, along with maple, are indispensable in steppe afforestation. For example, in conditions of shelterbelts, they are used as the main companion species for a tree such as oak.

It is noteworthy that elm is successfully used in folk medicine as a basis for a variety of tinctures. At the same time, the plain elm (birch bark) has the greatest medicinal value.

A Few More Necessary Care Points

Growing elm on the street does not require additional insulation, it tolerates frost well enough. If some branches are still frozen, they are cut in the spring. With small-leaved elm bonsai, the situation is slightly different, the optimal temperature for its content is 6-7 ° C. In such conditions, the tree will be green all year round. If the temperature rises above 10 ° C, active growth of shoots will begin. If the plant lacks light, long internodes will form, which should be removed.

When wintering in warm conditions, the elm will need good moisture, otherwise ticks will attack it. Drafts are not afraid of him.

The most optimal breeding method is cuttings. It is carried out in this way:

Cuttings are cut in May, treated with growth stimulants.
Cuttings are planted in containers with river sand and compost (1/3 to 2/3).
The container with cuttings is placed in a warm and bright room.

By layering, elm begins to multiply in June. Seed propagation is practically not practiced. Seeds should be sown in the spring. But before that, they must be stratified for 3 weeks in a sandy mixture with gravel in a greenhouse.

Greening the city

When landscaping in cities, elm is planted as single trees (tapeworms) or in groups of 5-10 trees. In urban conditions, it develops a powerful spreading crown, which visually enlarges an already rather big tree.

In the spring (April - May), the tree attracts attention with its many flowers, the color of which is dominated by brown shades. In the summer, the elm boasts dark green leaves that effectively set off the light shells of the fruit, and in the fall - a golden yellow crown.

Elm is a tree that can easily be clipped and can be used as a hedge. Since about 12 species of elms grow in the territories of the post-Soviet space, within the same city you can find several different forms of it, differing from each other not only in color, but also in the shape of the leaves.

Pharmacological properties of wood and its use in medicine

The leaves and bark of these trees contain substances that have a number of beneficial effects: diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. The bark is harvested during the very height of flowering - in spring, and the leaves - in early summer in dry weather. Basically, to collect materials, smooth elm is dried, which is planned for cutting. The resulting bark can be used for two years - many decoctions and infusions are made from it for different purposes.

To treat inflammation of the bladder, accelerate muscle healing and various edema, a decoction of the bark is used, which can also help with certain skin diseases, diseases of the digestive system, and is an excellent remedy for diarrhea. Elm leaf decoction relieves colic and accelerates wound healing.

Elm bark is also used in medicine.

Extracts from elm bark, birch and willow buds can help relieve fever and colds. They contain a large amount of mucus and tannins.The latter, moreover, have a beneficial effect on the human body in case of burns and dermatitis.

Root system

The root system of an elm tree is so powerful that it can compete successfully even with the roots of an oak tree. Not only the main taproot, through which the tree receives the main supply of nutrients, but also the lateral ones, go into the soil to a sufficiently large depth. It is this property that makes it possible to ensure the essential stability of the tree even in strong winds.

For example, when planting on field protection zones, they restrain the main gusts of wind, allowing you to get full-fledged harvests of agricultural crops, the ripened seeds of which practically do not fall to the ground.

Elm hedge maintenance

The unpretentious small-leaved elm will bring a minimum of inconvenience to its owner. The ease of planting is replaced later by the ease of care. However, there are many plants that, of course, can tolerate different conditions, although for each there are ideal growth conditions that allow them to reveal their greatest beauty potential, more pleasing to the eye.

The type of crown depends on the lighting. A lot of sun forms a dense round crown, more suitable for single plantings. Shaded areas will help achieve a more sophisticated shape, a bit like a weeping willow. By the way, in the first years after planting, almost all young shoots hang down.
Some grow seedlings in pots. If you prepare a seedling in this way, it is better to spend the summer in the yard so that the tree receives the required amount of fresh air.
The growing season is characterized by more frequent watering. Moderate watering is recommended. Filling the soil is bad, it is also undesirable to dry it out. After carrying out post-growing pruning, the number of waterings is reduced.
The lack of nutrient components of the soil sometimes deforms the shoots. Top dressing is carried out with organic matter.
The most priority type of soil is acidic soil. It is the acid that retains moisture, which gives the intensity of root growth.
Pruning is carried out in winter (when there is no vegetative activity), giving the shoots a certain shape, or in spring, if there is a need for crown growth.
Fallen leaves form over time a dense layer that prevents the penetration of oxygen. It is imperative to remove fallen leaves.
It is advisable to periodically wipe the foliage, adult plants can be sprayed with water, creating an almost "shower". A green fence restrains wind currents, leaving dust on the leaves. Gradually, dust deposits impair the air circulation, which is necessary for absolutely all shoots.

Small-leaved elm hedges fit perfectly into any garden. Having once correctly organized the preparatory work, sowing, planning the care, you can provide your site with a beautiful, impassable, high hedge for a long time.

Features of elms

Elm is a tree that, when planted on fertile soil, spreads roots over a considerable distance, due to which they sometimes reach the level of occurrence of groundwater, providing the plant with nutrients even in severe drought conditions.

Elm propagates by seeds, which should be planted in the soil immediately after ripening (end of May). If planting was delayed for any reason, the seeds lose their qualities and are no longer suitable for sowing. With sufficient soil moisture, the germination process takes no more than 1 week.

Young trees grow in all directions and resemble bushes in their shape. This is due to the fact that at the initial stage of growth they do not have a vertical shoot from which the trunk is formed. However, with age, its shape evens out, and the bush becomes more and more like a tree.

It is noteworthy that a fully formed tree begins to bear fruit 10-12 years after germination.

Reproduction

In nature, elm propagation occurs by self-sowing.Seeds quickly lose their germination, so when growing an elm tree, only freshly harvested material is sown (May-June). Before planting, they are moistened for 2-3 days and treated with a fungicide. The planting depth is 1 cm, the distance between the pits is 20 cm, the top is covered with moss or hay, and watered well. Seedlings appear in a week. After the sprouts get stronger, the moss is removed, and the soil around is loosened well. Watering is reduced and stopped by mid-August. From seeds in the first year, plants grow up to 15 cm, then annually give an increase of up to 40 cm. For the winter, it is better to wrap up small plants.

Elms also reproduce vegetatively: by pneumatic shoots and root suckers. The reliability of such methods is low, so it is better to purchase a ready-made 3-4 year old seedling.

Elm seeds

Elm tree: photo and description

Despite the fact that the genus Ulmus includes about 30 species of trees, the most famous of them are the following.

The common elm (Ulmus laevis) differs from other species in its very resilient and flexible wood, which practically does not lend itself to polishing. It is widely used in the manufacture of durable shock-resistant products.
Ilm mountain, or rough (Ulmus glabra) is very similar to elm in flexibility, but its wood is much stronger. Unlike ordinary elm, it is quite picky about the soil, does not tolerate drought and is damaged by frost.
Blade Ilm (Ulmus laciniata).
Birch bark (Ulmus carpinifolia), the main positive quality of which is the ability to maintain the shape created during the bending process for a long time. Most often it grows in open areas.
The valley Ilm (Ulmus japonka) stands out among the rest of the genus for its height, often exceeding 40 m. In arid areas it grows curved and rarely exceeds a height of 12-15 m. It tolerates drought perfectly.
Priestovyt visty (Ulmus pumila) is widely used in landscaping and protective afforestation around the world.
Karagach (Ulmus androsowit) is a fairly branched tree with a wide crown that provides dense shade. Thanks to these qualities, it has become one of the most popular trees in the south.
Smooth elm is a tree that is most often found in the North Caucasus, Transbaikalia and the Far East.

Properties and advantages of wood

Elm wood is practically non-rotting even at high humidity levels. Because of this feature, the tree became popular in Europe - pipes for water supply were made from its trunks. For the construction of the very first London Bridge over the Thames, the supports were created from elm wood. It is also known that in tsarist Russia, durable arcs, runners and shafts for horse-drawn transport were made from it.

By its properties, elm wood resembles oak - the material is very viscous and difficult to split. Although it is inconvenient to process it with cutting tools (especially without electrical devices, it takes a very long time to plan it), but it is remarkably polished and adheres well. Before finishing with this wood, its pores must be filled with a primer. During drying, the wood almost does not crack - according to these properties, it does not differ from oak.

Elm wood table top

In the modern world, smooth elm due to the moisture resistance, hardness and elasticity of its wood is cultivated for the subsequent production of furniture, the creation of floor coverings, and use in the engineering field and in shipbuilding.

Features of growth and care

Elm is a tree whose shoots grow quite quickly, increasing annually in height by more than 1 m.

The process of intensive growth continues for 13-15 years, after which it begins to gradually slow down. After the tree reaches half a century, there is practically no increase in height, and at the age of 100 years it stops altogether.

The wood of the elm tree is strong and quite elastic, relatively light, due to which it is widely used in the furniture industry.

Pure elm groves are extremely rare. As a rule, they include a large variety of trees.

Distribution and ecology

As an admixture, they are distributed mainly in the subzone of deciduous forests; they are also found in the southern and middle parts of the subzone of spruce forests. Pure plantings are rare.

They grow successfully on fertile soils, especially on alluvial soils. Some species tolerate saline soils and relatively dry habitats. All species are quite shade-tolerant, especially when young; in full light they grow quite successfully and form a powerful crown.

Diseases and pests

Elms are damaged by many insects, especially leaf-eating (elm leaf beetle, elm springtail, etc.), as well as dangerous fungal diseases (Dutch elm disease, periodically causing massive drying of elms). Many European and American species are close to complete extinction [4].

Leaves (Elm of David)

Green fruits (smooth elm)

Mature achene on the light ()

Ilm forests

Elm is a tree that can be photographed in the alleys of any city. Regardless of its species, it grows best in fertile soil with good drainage system. Two-tiered elm forests with small admixtures of other trees are widespread from Europe to Asia.

In Russia, the total length of such forests is about 500,000 hectares, however, unlike European elm forests, they are not only single-storey, but also include a large number of different trees.

Ilm forests are of high industrial value. Cuttings in them are most often carried out during the period of fruit ripening, due to which a constant replenishment of new trees is ensured.

Interesting Facts

In Korea, an elm tree grows more than 800 years old. The trunk of this magnificent tree is 7 meters high and about 2 meters in diameter.

Until 2010 in Moscow on Povarskaya Street there was an old Elm, a long-liver that survived the fires of 1812. Unfortunately, in the abnormally hot summer of 2010, the Elm withered.

In the Middle Ages, elms were used as supports in vineyards. That is why the ancient Greeks associated the Elm tree with the god of winemaking Dionysus.

Elm and its wood have an unusual aroma that acts on humans as a sedative and antidepressant.

In China, the fruit of the elm tree is used in cooking as one of the ingredients in salads.

Due to the resistance of timber to moisture, Elm timber was used in the construction of the famous London Bridge.

Diseases

Today there are many diseases affecting elm trees, but the most common among them is the Dutch disease. It is a fungus carried by the elm bark beetle. Its spores penetrate deep into the woody structure, first weakening, and then completely destroying the tree. After infection, the leaves on young shoots begin to turn yellow and fall off.

Dutch disease poses the greatest threat to elm forests, causing them to dry out. For example, in the last century, most of all elms died from this disease in England, and now the disease has spread throughout the elm range. The most susceptible to this disease are smooth elm and birch bark, and the most resistant are small-leaved elm.

Diseases and pests

Elm usually affects the elm springtail, scale insect, leaf beetle. It is easy to determine the disease in a tree, its crown dries up, and growths appear on the bark. As a fight against parasites, treatment with copper sulfate liquid, insecticides and fungicides is used.

Young trees are easier to get rid of diseases. Old elms are difficult to get rid of parasites, especially fungi.That is why the use of antifungal agents is recommended at the planting stage.