Trees & woodland lore · Western North Carolina field companion
Allee lacebark elm
Ulmus parvifolia
Leaves. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sunThayne Tuason ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.
Adaptable shade tree with exfoliating bark and strong Dutch elm disease resistance.
Look for a subtly unequal leaf base and sharp marginal teeth. Trace alternate attachment on the twig; the imbalance at the base is often less obvious than on American elm.
More growing details
Read the bark
Mature bark sheds patches to reveal tan, orange, gray, and greenish areas.
Fruit & seed
Small papery winged samaras develop in fall, contrasting with spring-fruiting American elm.
Winter character
Patchwork bark and fine alternate twigs remain useful.
Origin & place
An introduced garden species or horticultural hybrid; study it as part of WNC landscapes rather than assume it belongs to the native mountain flora.
Compare with American elm
American elm usually has larger doubly toothed leaves, deeply ridged bark, and spring samaras.
WNC Notes
Adaptable shade tree with exfoliating bark and strong Dutch elm disease resistance.
Sun Exposure
Full sun
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
40–50
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
30–40
BLOOM SEASON
Late summer
BLOOM COLOR
Inconspicuous
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Yellow-red
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High
Drought Tolerance
Low
LOOK CLOSELY
Two views, a closer look.
Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.
Leaves. Taxon reference; photograph alone does not establish a named cultivar.☀ Full sunThayne Tuason ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; no diagnostic content altered.close-up photo of colorful, mottled bark — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sunCathy Dewitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.Winged fruits and leaves of lacebark elm — species reference; cultivar identity not inferred.☀ Full sunPhotographer not named by NC State Plant Toolbox (CC0) ↗ · CC0Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full original composition retained.
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