Wych elm

Profile

Family

Ulmaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

32.5 m

Spread

24 m

Growth

fast

Lifespan

400 years

First yield

after 30 years

Hardiness

zone 5–8

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very wet

pH

5.5 – 8

Synonyms

Ulme

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Leaves can be consumed either in their raw form or cooked, offering a slightly bitter taste, particularly as they mature, along with a slimy texture. They make a great addition to mixed salads. The unripe fruits, when used right after forming, can also be eaten raw, providing a unique aromatic flavor that leaves a refreshing sensation and pleasant scent. The fruits are approximately 2.5 cm in length, with a mucilaginous inner rind that is commonly dried, ground into a powder, and combined with grains to thicken soups or bread. They have a nutritional composition of about 34.4% protein, 28.2% fat, 17% carbohydrates, and 5% ash.

Medicinal: The plant's inner bark possesses astringent, soothing, and mildly diuretic qualities. It is utilized for various purposes such as treating diarrhea, rheumatism, wounds, hemorrhoids, and other conditions. Additionally, it serves as a mouthwash for ulcers. Harvested from 3-4 year-old twigs, the inner bark is dried for use. In Bach flower therapy, this plant is employed to address emotions of inadequacy, discouragement, and fatigue resulting from an overly zealous quest for perfection. Furthermore, a homeopathic remedy derived from the inner bark is administered for eczema treatment.

Other uses: A fiber from the inner bark is utilized for mats and ropes. The wood is highly resilient when submerged in water, tough, flexible, and can withstand abrasion and saltwater. It finds applications in water pipes, wheels, hammer heads, ship keels, and similar items.

Growing

Easy to cultivate in any soil of at least moderate quality, provided it is well-drained. It thrives in deep or heavy soil that is moist but not waterlogged, and does not do well in highly acidic soils. Moderately tolerant to shade. Highly resistant to wind and can withstand maritime exposure. The elm tree provides dense shade and does not often produce runners, but it responds positively to coppicing. Susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, which has decimated elm tree populations. When mature trees are pruned to eliminate the disease, they may regrow but will eventually succumb to the illness. While there is no known cure, many Asian elm species show resistance, offering the potential to create new hybrids with native species. These species readily cross-pollinate, with easily storable pollen that can be used for trees blooming at different times. An attractive tree species that supports caterpillars of various butterfly species. Suitable for cultivating grapevines.

Propagation

Seeds - When sown right after ripening in a cool environment, they typically sprout within a few days. Stored seeds have lower germination rates and are best sown in the spring. Alternatively, seeds can be collected "green" (fully developed but not yet dried on the tree) and immediately sown in a cool environment. This method usually results in quick germination and larger plants by the end of the growing season. Once the seedlings are large enough, transfer them to individual pots and let them grow in a greenhouse during their first winter. Plant them in their permanent spot in late spring or early summer, after the last frosts. Avoid keeping plants in a nursery bed for more than two years as they develop a taproot and transplant poorly. Propagation can be done through runners or cuttings.

Notable

Special features: loves humid climates, tolerates polluted air; never forms dense stands, but only scattered in mixed forests; seeds (1g = 80 seeds) are viable for only a few weeks; sprouts well, topped shoots for firewood, coal, posts, etc.; partly on the Red List (rare); 1900 kWh/m²; 4.1 kWh/kg

Origin & habitat

Europe, from Scandinavia in the north to Spain in the south and from Western Asia in the east.

Forests are commonly located on fertile soils, particularly limestone, and are frequently seen on limestone cliffs.

Related plants