Ben Ferguson

Winged Elm, Ulmus alata Michx., has also been called Wahoo Elm.

Kingdom – Plantae (Plants) Subkingdom – Tracheobionta (Vascular plants) Superdivision – Spermatophyta (Seed plants) Division – Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants) Class – Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons) Subclass – Hamamelididae Order – Urticales Family – Ulmaceae (Elm family) Genus – Ulmus L. (Elm) Species – Ulmus alata Michx. (Winged elm)

The Winged elm is a small to medium tree that can grow to 60 feet in height. They have smaller crowns that are oblong and fairly narrow. Figure 1

The bark is dark gray in color. There are shallow furrows in the bark. Figure 2

The twigs are slender and gray or brown in color. They can be either smooth or slightly hairy and are up to ¼ inch thick. Figure 3

The leaves are simple and they alternate. The blades are pointed at the tip, elliptic to oblong- lanceolate and they are asymmetrical at the base. They grow up to three inches in length, and are doubly toothed. They are green and smooth/slightly rough on the surface and paler and hairy on the bottom. The leafstalks are short, stout, and hairy. Figure 4

The buds are narrow and pointed. They are brown in color and are smooth/slightly hairy and are ¼ in long. Figure 5

The flowers grow in drooping clusters of 2 to 7. They appear before the leaves unfold and they are greenish, small, and hairy. Figure 6

The fruit of the Winged elm are oblong and winged. They are up to 1/3 inched long and hairy along the edge of the fruit. The wings are notched at the top of the fruit and each one surrounds a central seed. Figure 7

Winged elms can be found along dry cliffs, wooded slopes, and sometimes in low woods. They reach from Virginia to Missouri, south to Texas and east to Florida. Figure 8

They can be used as firewood, tool handles and can be made into small wooden articles.

 Figure 1 Retrieved 6/24/10  Figure 2 Retrieved 6/24/10  Figure 3 Retrieved 6/24/10  Figure 4 Retrieved 6/24/10  _elm_bud5.jpg Figure 5 Retrieved 6/24/10 _elm_bud5.jpg  Figure 6 Retrieved 6/24/10  Figure 7 Retrieved 6/24/10  Figure 8 Retrieved 6/24/10

Lhttp://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ULA L Retrieved 6/24/10 Mohlenbrock, R. H. Forest trees of illinois. Retrieved 6/24/10