Ulmus pumila
Siberian Elm

This plant is considered invasive.

Family:

Ulmaceae (Elm Family) 32

Genus:

Ulmus (Elm) 26

Plant Type:

Tree 569

Growth Forms:

Upright 574

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 520

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Green (Not ornamentally important)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Dark green foliage in summer is loved by insects, especially elm leaf beetle); Yellow (Yellow fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Wafer-like samaras; not ornamentally important; causes significant litter)

Ultimate Height:

50-70 feet

Ultimate Spread:

50-70 feet

Fruiting Times:

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Widely adapted to soils, especially useful in dry sites

Range:

Siberia, Northern China

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are simple, alternate, 0.75-3" long and 0.3-1" wide, elliptic to elliptic-lanceolate, only slightly oblique at the base, serrate, petiole tinged dark red. Blackish-brown buds are large globose with hairs along edge of bud scales. Light gray stems are slender with a slight zig-zag pattern. Compared to two native elms, Ulmus pumila has more narrow leaves, larger serrations, and an oblique leaf base not occurring in Ulmus thomasii (Rock Elm). Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm) leaves are larger with larger teeth and a more oblique leaf base than Ulmus pumila.

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Elm, Zelkova

Special Characteristics:

Drought Tolerant 289

Pollution Tolerant 217

Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 187

Wet Soil Tolerant 109

Additional Information

Grows under almost any conditions, especially useful in dry sites. Resists Dutch elm disease. Leaf beetles can defoliate trees. Brittle branches and subsequently messy. Avoid planting this tree in the landscape, unless there is no other choice. Considered invasive in many areas.

Plant Photo Gallery

Overall Habit

Bark

Leaf

Buds and Flowers

Winter Habit

Fruit

When Ulmus pumila has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

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Fruiting

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Week 1 fruiting not present	Week 2 fruiting not present	Week 3 fruiting not present	Week 4 fruiting not present	Week 5 fruiting not present	Week 6 fruiting not present	Week 7 fruiting not present	Week 8 fruiting not present	Week 9 fruiting not present	Week 10 fruiting not present	Week 11 fruiting not present	Week 12 fruiting not present	Week 13 fruiting not present	Week 14 fruiting not present	Week 15 fruiting not present	Week 16 fruiting not present	Week 17 fruiting not present	Week 18 fruiting not present	Week 19 fruiting present	Week 20 fruiting not present	Week 21 fruiting present	Week 22 fruiting present	Week 23 fruiting present	Week 24 fruiting present	Week 25 fruiting not present	Week 26 fruiting not present	Week 27 fruiting not present	Week 28 fruiting not present	Week 29 fruiting not present	Week 30 fruiting not present	Week 31 fruiting not present	Week 32 fruiting not present	Week 33 fruiting not present	Week 34 fruiting not present	Week 35 fruiting not present	Week 36 fruiting not present	Week 37 fruiting not present	Week 38 fruiting not present	Week 39 fruiting not present	Week 40 fruiting not present	Week 41 fruiting not present	Week 42 fruiting not present	Week 43 fruiting not present	Week 44 fruiting not present	Week 45 fruiting not present	Week 46 fruiting not present	Week 47 fruiting not present	Week 48 fruiting not present	Week 49 fruiting not present	Week 50 fruiting not present	Week 51 fruiting not present	Week 52 fruiting not present

42 Ulmus pumila found

Building Map...

= Heritage plant = Memorial plant

Number	Accession ID	Location
1	2009_13082*A	HORTPARK
2	2012_01350*A	VPRB
3	ORIG_6143*A	PVA
4	2015_00324*A	VPRB
5	ORIG_3353*A	KFPC	Heritage Plant
6	ORIG_1473*A	AR	Heritage Plant
7	2023_00383*A	ADPB
8	2023_00411*A	ADPB
9	2020_12737*A	HORTPARK
10	2020_12737*B	HORTPARK
11	2020_12737*C	HORTPARK
12	PUI_ORIG_00020*A
13	PUI_ORIG_00066*A
14	PUI_ORIG_00070*A		Dedicated/Memorial Plant
15	PUI_ORIG_00112*A
16	PUI_ORIG_00119*A
17	PUI_ORIG_00125*A
18	PUI_ORIG_00146*A
19	PUI_ORIG_00166*A
20	PUI_ORIG_00170*A
21	PUI_ORIG_00208*A
22	PUI_ORIG_00239*A
23	PUI_ORIG_00279*A
24	PUI_ORIG_00286*A
25	PUI_ORIG_00289*A
26	PUI_ORIG_00296*A
27	PUI_ORIG_00300*A
28	PUI_ORIG_00302*A
29	PUI_ORIG_00309*A
30	PUI_ORIG_00321*A
31	PUI_ORIG_00323*A
32	PUI_ORIG_00330*A
33	PUI_ORIG_00353*A
34	PUI_ORIG_00361*A
35	PUI_ORIG_00364*A
36	PUI_ORIG_00377*A
37	PUI_ORIG_00410*A
38	PUI_ORIG_00412*A
39	PUI_ORIG_00421*A
40	PUI_ORIG_00426*A
41	PUI_ORIG_00430*A
42	PUI_ORIG_00438*A

Other plants like this Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm)

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