Scientific name: Ulmus glabra Huds.
Common name: Wych Elm
Description
Habit: A deciduous tree, to 40 m high, trunk divided low down into spreading branches; broadly rounded or oval crown.
Leaves: Alternate, undivided, short-stalked with the stalk often hidden by the base of the leaf, 10-12 cm long, asymmetric at the base, broadly oval, pointed, coarsely toothed, rough on upperside, hairy on lowerside, with 12-18 pairs of lateral veins.
Flowers: Green, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, appearing before leaves, in stalkless axillary clusters; calyx bell-shaped, with 4-5 lobes; corolla absent; stamens 4-5; ovary superior, styles 2.
Fruits: A winged achene, 1-seeded.
Twigs: Gray to red-brown, with rust-coloured hairs when young.
Bark: Grey, smooth, furrowed when older.
Habitat: Woods, hedges and scrub.Distribution: Widespread but rather rare.
Native status: Native
Threats: Dutch elm disease has destroyed mature trees from Ireland.
Of conservation interest: No