Ulmus alata

Winged Elm is a native deciduous tree in the Elm Family (ULMACEAE). It can be found throughout Alabama. Winged Elm occurs in dry woodlands, in rocky woods, on rock outcrops, along fence rows, and in hardwood or mixed hardwood/pine forests. It is a small to medium sized tree growing to 60 feet in height. The bark is gray-brown with flat ridges separated by shallow fissures. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate to elliptic, and doubly serrate. The leaves are the smallest of the native Elms in Alabama, averaging only 1 ½ to 3 inches in length. The base of the leaf is inequilateral with the blade on one side of the petiole extending further down than on the other side. The leaves turn yellow then brown before leaf drop. The twigs and small limbs of Winged Elm often have corky ridges extending down either side. Flowers are produced in the late winter in drooping clusters. The flowers lack petals and are wind pollinated. The fruit is a flat disk-like samara. The samaras are reddish brown and pubescent, especially along the margins. Winged Elm wood is hard but flexible and resists splitting. It is used in flooring, for boxes and pallets, and furniture (especially curved forms such as rocking chairs), and for hockey sticks. Winged Elm is occasionally planted as a shade or street tree. It prefers full to partial sun and is tolerant of poor soils and drought. Dutch Elm Disease (an introduced fungal pathogen) grows and reproduces in the xylem of elm trees leading to their death. Winged Elm is affected by this pathogen but appears more resistant than American Elm (Ulmus americana Linnaeus).--A. Diamond