Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

cedar elm

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Ulmus crassifolia

Family:

Ulmaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

40-80 ft tall by 20-40 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Fall Color, Interesting Foliage, Interesting Bark

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree. Can be used as a street tree. Yellow fall color.

Considerations:

While not known to occur in Florida, this species is potentially susceptible to  Dutch elm disease.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Seed, cuttings.

Light:

Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds

Larval food for the Question Mark butterfly ( Polygonia interrogationis )

Seeds used by birds when little else is available. Used for nesting. 

Native Habitats:

Floodplain forest, hydric hammock, bottomland forest. On limestone.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

While this tree has a limited native distribution in Florida, it also occurs as far west as Texas in similar types of settings.