Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

Siberian elm Ulmaceae Ulmus pumila L. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet play symbol: ULPU
Leaf: Alternate, simple, elliptical to ovate, 1 to 2 1/2 inches long, singly serrated margin, nearly an equilateral base, dark green and smooth above, paler and smooth below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; small, pale green clusters occurring in early spring before leaves.
Fruit: Thin, wafer-like samara, nearly round, notched at top, 1/2 inch in diameter, initially pale green, later turning light brown when ripe in spring.
Twig: Slender, slightly zigzag, grayish tinged with green; buds are quite small (1/8 inch), dark reddish-gray, round, flower buds are considerably larger.
Bark: Irregularly furrowed, light grayish brown, often streaked with lighter stains caused by bacterial wetwood and associated "bleeding".
Form: A medium sized tree reaching up to 70 feet tall; typically a very bad looking tree due to considerable limb breakage and sprouting along the trunk.
 Looks like: Chinese elm - slippery elm - Japanese zelkova

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

Additional Range Information: Ulmus pumila is planted in the USDA hardiness zones shown above and may seed into the landscape. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
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