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American Elm, Prospect Park, Brooklyn; Elm allee, Central Park. Photos: Anne Wiesen

Tree of Respect and Care: Elm Family (Ulmaceae)

The American Elm (Ulmus americana) was once the street tree of choice in the United States. Majestic, vase-shaped, high branching patterns provide clearance for houses, trucks and utility lines. Reaching heights of up to 80 feet, the elm's high branches also create a beautiful canopy of dappled light that produces pleasurable walking paths, seating areas, and under-planting opportunities. The American Elm was also highly prized by early Native Americans for its medicinal and healing properties, as were European and Asian Elms prized for their related properties.

In the 1930s, Dutch elm disease appeared from the Netherlands in the mid western United States, and subsequently destroyed one-half to two-thirds of the American Elm tree population in the northeastern United States. The disease is caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi (syn. Ceratocystis ulmi), which is transmitted by two species of bark beetles or by root grafting.

Visit the North Dakota State University Extension Service for more information on the Dutch Elm disease.

Healing Association
The American Elm is at once majestic and vulnerable. The Elm has earned our respect in many ways. Our great respect for this tree initiated a care-taking program over 50 years ago when Dutch Elm Disease struck with devastating impact. This program of care and nurturing has returned the elm to health through the identification and cross breeding of highly resistant progeny, including 'Liberty', 'Princeton', 'Valley Forge' and 'New Harmony' cultivars. The story of the recovery of the American Elm, the great effort of many to protect a national treasure, is a story of healing in process, through respect and active care. The Trees of Respect and Care remind us that recommitting to these values, especially in challenging circumstances, will help unify and strengthen our communities.

"The spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we live with reverence for the mystery of being, gratitude for the gift of life and humility regarding the human place in the nature."

Earth Charter 2002
United Nations

In response to September 11, many communities intuitively created places of sanctuary, where respect and care for life could be demonstrated. These places, often filled with flower offerings and candles, offered a way to show "reverence for life" over acts of "irreverence for life". Shortly thereafter, the desire to also show care for the natural world of life emerged. Many "Living Memorial" projects center on reclamation of degraded landscapes. The desire to respect and care for life includes the recognition of human connection to natural places.

Planting Requirements
Elms prefer most, fertile soil and sun. Proper care will also help prevent Dutch Elm disease. Forms resistant to Dutch Elm disease are available in many nurseries and from the Elm Research Institute in Keene, New Hampshire.

Uses in the Landscape

Structure
  • Magnificent arched allees define boundaries
  • Entrances and pathways in large spaces
  • Visual and auditory screen
  • Filtered shade for sun coverage
  • A grove for special community gatherings
  • The center of a labyrinth
  • A Welcoming Tree to mark a Gateway
Sensorial
  • Beautiful dappled light patterns
  • Sense of natural grandeur
  • Sounds from leaves rustling in wind and rain
Food and Habitat for Wildlife
  • Good nectar source for butterflies and bees
  • Important larval host for butterfly and moth caterpillars

Healing Ethnobotanical Uses
The information provided below is intended for educational purposes only. Please contact your local licensed herbalists for safe and proper medicinal uses of this plant.

Native American Medicine
Infusions and decoctions of American Elm inner bark were used by many tribes of Native Americans. Delaware and Algonkian Indians used Elm inner bark infusions for colds and severe coughs. Southeastern tribes used decoctions for as remedies for menstrual cramping, and the Northern Cheyenne Indians of Montana are recorded as using Elm as a gynecological aid to stabilize the child in the womb.

European Medicine
Supporting earlier recorded claims of the healing properties of the Elm by Dioscorides ( 40-90 AD, Greek physician of the Roman army) and Pliny (AD 23-79, Roman scholar), John Gerard, the 15th century English herbalist wrote, "The leaves of Elm glew and heale up green wounds. The decoction of Elm leaves healeth broken bones very speedily if they be bathed therewith."

Scientific Properties and Actions
Source: Bastyr College of Natural Medicine On-Line Database
  • Constituents: Mucilage, composed of galactose, 3-methyl galactose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid residues.
  • Actions: Demulcent, emollient, nutrient, astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, nutritive.
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
Slipper Elm is the name of an herbal remedy that comes from the inner bark of the red elm tree. It is soothing and protective for mucosal tissue. The bark of this American Elm is an official drug of the United States Pharmacopoeia and is considered one of the most valuable remedies in herbal practice, the abundant mucilage it contains having wonderfully strengthening and healing qualities. (Grieve)

Native Elm Species
Sources: Cullina, Dirr, Heywood
Winged Elm (U. alata)
American, White, Grey, Water or Swamp Elm (U. americana)
Resistant cultivars: 'Liberty', 'Princeton', 'New Harmony', 'Valley Forge'
Rock Elm or Cork Elm (U. thomasii)
Slippery, Red or Moose Elm (U. rubra)
September or Red Elm (U. serotina) (Southern species)

Non-native elm species
Sources: Barnard, Dirr
Siberian Elm (U. pulmia)
Smoothleaf Elm (U. carpinifolia) (The most common elm in Europe)
Wych Elm (U. glabra)
Chinese or Lacebark Elm (U. parvifolia) (Pest resistant and tolerant of urban conditions)
English Elm (U. procera)
Dutch Elms (Ulums x hollandica)

The Elm's Community of Trees: Floodplains and Swamp Forests
Source: NRG
The Floodplain forest occurs in the lowlands of floodplains and river deltas. These areas flood annually in the Spring, and the higher areas are flooded irregularly. The photograph below depicts a willow tree (top center) in a lakeside forest context.

Other Trees of the Floodplain Forest
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
River Birch (Betula nigra)
Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
White Ash (Fraxinus americana)
Green Ash (Fraxinus pensylvanica)
Sweet Gum (Liquidamber styraciflua)
Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Cotttonwood (Populus deltoides)
Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)
Black Willow (Salix nigra)
American Linden (Tilia americana)