Virginia Tech Dendrology

winged elm Ulmaceae Ulmus alata Michx. symbol: ULAL
Leaf: Alternate, simple, narrowly ovate, 2 inches long, margin coarsely and sharply doubly serrate, base of leaf inequilateral; upper surface dark green, paler and slightly hairy beneath, with very short petioles.
Flower: Small, reddish, in clusters, appearing March to April before leaf buds open.
Fruit: Appears April to May, 3/8 to 1/2 inch across, a flattened samara, hairy on the margin.
Twig: Slender, glabrous, slightly zigzag, reddish brown, with red-brown buds. Twigs have conspicuous corky wings that protrude one-half inch.
Bark: Red-brown to ashy gray, flat-topped ridges separated by irregular fissures.
Form: A small to medium sized tree with a rounded crown.
Looks like: American elm - cedar elm - slippery elm - field elm

Additional Range Information: Ulmus alata is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Wood - Landowner Factsheet
External Links: USDAFS Silvics of North America - USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material © 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information