Cedar elm is a medium-sized deciduous tree that typically grows to between 40 and 50 feet tall. It has a rounded crown and a trunk that typically measures between 1 and 2 feet in diameter. The trees bark is dark gray or black and is smooth with a corky texture. The trees leaves are ovate in shape and have serrated margins. They are dark green in color and turn yellow or brown in the fall. The tree produces small, greenish-white flowers in the spring. The trees fruit is a small, winged seed. Cedar elm is native to the southeastern United States and is commonly found in woodlands, along streams, and in bottomland hardwood forests.
Related plant:
Emerald Cedar Hedge
Related plant:
Red Cedar Tree
About soil condition, cedar elm grows in a wide range of soils types, from heavy clay to sand, but it prefers deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soils in full sun to partial shade. It is not very tolerant of drought or salt.
Like the other elm trees, the cedar elm requires full sun to partial sun in order to grow and flourish. The tree does best in rich, deep, and moist soils but can also tolerate poorer quality soils as long as they are not too dry.Interestingly, the cedar elm can even survive in drought-like conditions once it is established.
The temperature condition that is most favorable for the growth of cedar elms is between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. They can also tolerate colder temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but they will not grow as well in those conditions.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. They require moist soil to avoid drought stress, but too much moisture can lead to root problems. Cedar elms are tolerant to a wide range of soil types, but prefer well-drained soils.
For the fertilizer, this kind of plant food is high in nitrogen, which helps promote growth of leaves and grass. The roots of the cedar elm are long and strong, making it a good plant for stabilizing slopes and erosion control.
Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cedar elms can be pruned to any desired shape or size. To control the size of the tree, prune the top and sides. To encourage a more compact growth habit, prune the tips of the branches.
Propagation is typically done by seed, but it can also be done by taking cuttings from the roots or stems. To propagate by seed, sow the seeds in a well-drained soil in early spring. To propagate by cuttings, take cuttings from the roots or stems in late winter or early spring and plant them in a well-drained soil.
Usually, the plant growth rate is about 2 feet per year. However, the growth rate may be faster or slower depending on the specific tree species and the growing conditions. Cedar elms are generally drought-tolerant and can withstand long periods of dry weather. However, they will benefit from extra watering during periods of extended drought.
Common problems for this kind of plant are leaf spot, wilt and canker. These problems are caused by fungi and bacteria that attack the leaves, stems and branches of the tree. Leaf spot is the most common problem and is caused by several different fungi. These fungi attack the leaves and cause small, dark spots to form. The spots can eventually coalesce and kill the leaves. Wilt is caused by a fungus that clogs the water-conducting tissues of the tree. This fungus can cause the leaves to wilt and eventually die. Canker is caused by a bacterium that invades the tree through wounds. The bacterium can kill the tree by causing the bark to separate from the wood.
Source:
Cedar Elm | Urban Program Bexar County - Texas A&M University
Cedar Elm Tree drawing Ulmus crassifolia - Texas A&M University
Ulmus crassifolia: Cedar Elm - University of Florida
