If you are a gardener, you plant for the future. Every time you put a seed, bulb, plant or tree in the ground, you are putting your faith in the future growth and development of something special. You understand with perennials, for example, they can spread and grow long after you’re gone. So why not invest in a Slippery Elm, a tree for the future?
History of the American Elm
When the early settlers first arrived in America, they discovered the American elm. Through trial and error, they discovered that its extremely hard and durable wood could be used for both lumber and furniture. The wood was flexible enough, when steamed and bent, even to be used to make rocking chairs, barrels, and wheel rims. Native Americans in the area also used the elm to build canoes for their raids on the water.
Unfortunately, in the 1930s, beetles infected elm trees with Dutch elm disease, a deadly fungus. When the fungus enters the tree, it reproduces in the parts of the tree that carry water to the stems and branches. The fungus works by blocking the movement of water to the leaves of the tree. consequently, the leaves wither and die. This nasty fungus can kill a mature 100-foot tree in two to four years. Also, due to the shallow root system where the roots of other elms can touch, Dutch elm disease can spread to other elms very easily. So the American elm was nearly wiped out.
Slippery Elm Facts
The American Elm is a beautiful stately tree. It is a fast growing tree and can reach up to 100 feet in height. The width of a mature elm in its glorious branches is almost as wide. An elm at the height of its maturity can have a trunk span of nearly 7 feet all around. It is shaped like an urn, with a spreading crown of symmetrical branches at the top. The bark is an interesting feature, dark greyish-brown with many broad ridges and unique diamond front fissures. The blade is approximately 3-5 inches long. It has double serrated margins, 1 to 3 inches wide, and has about 15 pairs of veins. The front of the leaf is green and smooth to the touch, while the underside is pale and has a smooth touch. The elm has fruits that develop in clusters on long brown stems. The seed of the elm is oblong with notches at the beak and is covered by a papery skin. An elm prefers a PH of 5.5 to 8.0 and rich, well-drained soil. However, it will also grow in compacted soil or poorly drained soil and in full sun or partial shade. It likes wetlands and humid areas, but will adapt and thrive in urban conditions. Will grow in Zones 2 through 9.
a new future
Although the damage to the slippery elm was massive and nearly wiped out the species, there is hope. The Princeton slippery elm is breathing new life into the species. DNA tests have shown that Princeton Elm came from a 280-year-old American Elm. This tree is in the Princeton Cemetery and Vice President Aaron Burr rests under it. This American elm is highly resistant to Dutch elm disease. The Princeton is also resistant to the elm leaf beetle, another pest. So cuttings have been taken to start new elms for spreading American elm. A cutting is used because genetic resistance to Princeton Elms can be passed down the lineage. If seedlings are used, there is a chance that the resistance will not be transmitted in another way. The Princeton has the beautiful urn shape of the Slippery Elm and has the best shape of all the Ulmus cultivars.
What can you do?
You can plant a slippery elm for the future. These trees are extremely large, so give it plenty of space. If you plant multiple, space them 20 to 50 feet apart. Use 3 to 6 inches of organic mulch to help maintain moisture levels. Avoid placing the mulch against the tree truck so that the tree does not rot. Prune the tree once a year and remove dead or dying branches when the tree is young. As the tree matures, prune it less and do not prune all of it during the growing season. Use the correct fertilizer, and if you’re not sure what it is, ask a professional.
Gardeners are the caretakers of the past and the guardians of the future. Please do your part by making sure this beautiful tree is here for generations to come.
