Ulmus minor

RHS Plant Profile

European field elm

Other common names

field elm, smooth-leaved elm

Synonyms

Ulmus foliacea, Ulmus minor carpinifolia, Ulmus nitens, Ulmus campestris misapplied, Ulmus carpinifolia, Ulmus campestris L.

Trees

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Large, graceful, open, deciduous tree about 30m tall, with slender, arching branches and glossy, narrowly oval, mid to dark green leaves to 10cm long, turning yellow in autumn. Very small red flowers in mid to late spring are followed by green winged fruits 1cm across

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ulmaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Ulmus are deciduous trees, often large, with elliptic or ovate leaves often colouring well in autumn; inconspicuous flowers are followed by winged fruits
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer. Chip budding and grafting may also be used. Propagate by seed, see trees and shrubs from seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, bark beetles, horse chestnut scale and elm gall mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to Dutch elm disease, coral spot, honey fungus and phytophthora