Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

winged elm Ulmaceae Ulmus alata Michx. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet 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

winged elm leaf image
winged elm flower image
winged elm fruit image
winged elm twig image
winged elm bark image
winged elm form image
winged elm map image

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 2025 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