Siberian Elm
Ulmus pumila L.

SOURCE: The following information on this species is taken, in part, from the Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group, Weeds Gone Wild website at http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm. Modifications include additional pictures (from www.invasives.org) and resource information. Check the website links for future updates. The last update for this fact sheet is April 1, 2004

NATIVE RANGE: Northern China, eastern Siberia, Manchuria and Korea
DESCRIPTION: Siberian elm is a fast-growing tree in the elm family (Ulmaceae) distinguished by small toothed leaves about 1-2½ in (3-7 cm) long and half as wide, and pointed at the tip. Unlike other elms, the leaf base is usually symmetrical, forming a nearly even "V". Leaves are smooth and dark green above, paler and nearly hairless beneath, and alternate from side to side along twigs. Mature trees reach a height of 50-70 ft. (16-22 m.), with a round crown of slender, spreading branches. The bark is rough, gray or brown, and shallowly furrowed at maturity. Twigs are nearly hairless with small, blunt buds.

Photo: Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, www.forestryimages.org

Photos: USDS NRCS Archives, USDS NRCS, www.forestryimages.org

Flowering occurs in the springtime. The small greenish flowers lack petals and occur in drooping clusters of 2 to 5. After flowering, a single seed forms in the center of each smooth, flattened, circular, ½ in (10-15 mm) wide fruit. Other species of elms (Ulmus) and the close relative Zelkova, especially younger plants, look similar to Siberian elm. Some may even confuse it with choke-cherry (Prunus serotina) and hackberry (Celtis sp.). The native slippery elm and American elm typically have leaves that are greater than 3 in (7.3 cm) long, with unequal heart-shaped leaf bases, and leaf margins with double teeth.

ECOLOGICAL THREAT: Dry to mesic prairies and stream banks are vulnerable to Siberian elm invasion. Thickets of seedlings soon form around seed-producing trees, bare ground areas, animal and insect mounds, and other disturbed areas. Wind carries seed to distant areas where new colonies can form. This tough exotic survives under conditions not easily tolerated by other species, allowing it to take advantage of open ground and resources otherwise used by native plants. Fast growing seedlings of Siberian elm quickly overtake native vegetation, especially shade-intolerant species. This often leads to invasion by additional weedy species, compounding the problem.

DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES: Siberian elm is known to occur in 43 states (USDA PLANTS map) and reported to be invasive in natural areas in 25 states (AZ, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NE, NM, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV) (WeedUS Database).

HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES: Dry and mesic prairies and areas along stream banks in Minnesota and forested areas and high elevations in Arizona.

BACKGROUND: Siberian elm was introduced to the U.S. in the 1860's for its hardiness and fast growth in a variety of moisture regimes and habitats, including droughts and cold winters. It is resistant to Dutch elm disease. This elm continues to be promoted, especially in the Great Plains in spite of weak limbs and susceptibility to insect attack.

BIOLOGY & SPREAD: Seeds are produced early in spring and spread by the wind. Germination rate is high and seedlings soon establish in the bare ground found early in the growing season.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE PLANTS: When planting shade trees near prairie sites, consider using trees native to your area, especially those that are not prolific colonizers. Some appropriate examples are bur oak (Quercus americana) or other oaks native to your area, and basswood (Tilia americana). Check with your state native plant society or the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's Native Plant Information Network for recommendations.

AUTHOR: Susan Wieseler, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Rochester, MN.

REVIEWERS: Sally Canning, Phillip D. Moore, Lori Makarick, and Ian Torrence.

EDITOR: Jil M. Swearingen, National Park Service, National Capital Region, Center for Urban Ecology, Washington, DC

For more information on Siberian elm, please contact:
Ian Torrence, National Park Service (Ian_Torrence@nps.gov)
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Vegetation Management Guidelines, http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/outreach/VMG/VMG.html
Lori Makarick, National Park Service (Lori_Makarick@nps.gov)
Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, Inc., http://www.ma-eppc.org
National Invasive Species Information Center, http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov
Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group, Weeds Gone Wild Fact Sheets, http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/pocu1.htm
The Bugwood Network, MA-EPPC Plant List, http://www.invasive.org/maweeds.cfm
USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Invasive Plants: Weeds of the Week, http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/
USDA - NRCS PLANTS Database, http://plants.usda.gov/
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/invasive/nonnative.htm#aquatics or
Kelly Kearns, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Kelly.Kearns@dnr.state.wi.us)

REFERENCES:
Brown, R.G. and M.L. Brown. 1972. Woody Plants of Maryland. Port City Press, Baltimore, MD. 347 pp.
Kennay, J. and G. Fell. 1990. Illinois Vegetation Management Guideline: Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila). Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Springfield, Il.
Rehder, A. 1940. Manual of Cultivated Trees and Shrubs, 2nd ed. MacMillan Co., New York. 996 pp.
Remaley, T. 2000. Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual. In Bargeron, C.T., D.J. Moorhead, G.K. Douce, R.C. Reardon & A.E. Miller (Tech. Coordinators). 2003. Invasive Plants of the Eastern U.S.: Identification and Control. USDA Forest Service - Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Morgantown, WV USA. FHTET-2003-08.

Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.

Management and Control Information

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