Elm Trees are trees in the Ulmus genus of the elm family. The genus contains about 30 to 40 species. Zelkova trees are also members of the elm family. The elm family is most closely related to the rose, mulberry, redberry, silverberry, and hemp families.
Elm Street in central Woodland is named for elm trees.
American Elm (Ulmus americana) is a fast-growing, deciduous tree from the eastern United States. It is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease, but some disease-resistant cultivars have been developed. When its lifespan is not shortened by disease, it usually grows to over 100 feet tall and can live over 300 years. In 20 years, it might grow to 50 feet tall. It prefers full sun or partial shade. It has high water needs and is equally likely to grow in wetlands or in dry areas. It has "perfect" flowers (containing male and female parts in the same flower). American Elm is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause fairly severe hay fever. It is planted at Jack Slaven Park, Ralph Harris Park, William Crawford, Sr., Park, and the Woodland City Cemetery. It is also planted as a street tree on Dog Gone Alley, Elliot Street, and Lemen Avenue.
Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is a deciduous tree from Asia. It usually grows 40 to 60 feet tall and 50 to 70 feet wide. It is highly resistant to Dutch elm disease but not immune to it. It has "perfect" flowers (containing male and female parts in the same flower). Chinese Elm is ranked 10 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause very severe hay fever. It typically blooms from about August through September, so if you suffer from hay fever during those months, Chinese Elm could be the culprit. The City of Woodland has planted Chinese Elm in Christiansen Park, Jack Slaven Park, and Woodland Sports Park. The city has also planted it as a street tree on 1st Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, Clover Street, County Road 102, Court Street, Cross Street, Elm Street, and North Street.
English Elm (Ulmus minor 'Atinia') is a deciduous tree from Europe. The cultivar 'Atinia' was long believed to be a separate species, called Ulmus procera, before genetic research revealed that English Elms were all clones of one another; there is no such species as Ulmus procera. English Elm is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease, so this cultivar should be considered obsolete and without a future. It used to regularly grow over 130 feet tall but now rarely survives longer than 20 years without genetic engineering or inoculation to protect it against disease. English Elm has "perfect" flowers (containing male and female parts in the same flower) but the female flower parts are sterile, so this cultivar is unable to reproduce except when acting as the male parent. It is ranked 8 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it tends to cause fairly severe hay fever. It is planted in the Legacy Tree Grove at Woodland Off-Leash Dog Park. It is also planted as a street tree on 1st Street, 3rd Street, 5th Street, College Street, Court Street, Cross Street, Freeman Street, North College Street, and Palm Avenue.
Links
Invasive.org: Ulmus parvifolia
Wikipedia: Ulmus minor 'Atinia'
Invasive.org: Ulmus procera (synonym of Ulmus minor 'Atinia')
