City of Fort Smith TreeQuest Winner - 2004Elm trees originated in central Asia and flourished in North America. Beginning in the 1950's, Dutch elm disease cut the Elm population in half. Despite the high disease pressure, the American Elm on the UA Fort Smith campus is estimated at between 150 and 200 years of age. It is however starting to show signs of stress and old age with thinning branches. To help prolong the inevitable, the grounds staff routinely mulches under the tree to minimize grass competition and prunes to remove parasitic mistletoe. Bark: The appearance is dark, ashy-gray, with flat-topped ridges separated by diamond-shaped fissured bark. The outer bark, when sectioned, shows distinct, alternating, buff colored and reddish-brown patches. When young it is often quite spongy. Foliage: The three to six inch long and one to three inch wide leaves are oval-shaped and doubly serrate. They are smooth on the face and rough in texture on the back. Flowers: The quarter inch long flowers are green or purple in color and are found in clusters on the tree's branches in March. Fruit: The 1/2 an inch long fruit is a notched, round, hairless, samara that matures from May - June.
City's Largest Known Species
| Tree ID Number: | 376 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Ulmus americana |
| Mature Height: | 60 - 80 ft |
| Canopy Spread (Diameter): | 1/2 to 2/3's height |
| Branching Shape: | Spreading |
| Growth Rate: | Fast |
| Wood Strength: | Hard and strong |
| Cold Hardiness Zone: | 3-9 |
| Soil Moisture Requirements: | Moist, Dry |
| Light Requirements: | Sun |
| Common Pests: | Dutch elm disease, wetwood, cankers, leaf curl, leaf spots, powdery mildews, woody decay, verticillium wilt, phloem necrosis, scorch, elm leaf curl aphid, japanese beetle, smaller european elm bark beetle, elm borer, spring and fall canker worms, elm cockscomb gall, elm leaf miner, elm leaf beetle, gypsy moth, elm calligrapha beetle, mites and scales. |
| Comments: | Before Dutch elm disease, the American elm was prized for its use as a street tree. Planting varieties that are Dutch elm disease resistant include 'Valley Forge' and 'New Harmony'. |
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