Slippery Elm Tree

This slippery elm tree is Ulmus rubra, the native elm named for the slick, mucilaginous inner bark, with a broad rounded crown and rough, sandpapery leaves. We ship it bare-root in 6-12 inch, 12-18 inch, 1-2 foot and 2-3 foot sizes, in packs of 100, 500 and 1000, for shade plantings, restoration work and wholesale buyers.

Slippery Elm Tree Size, Zones and Sun

Plan on 40 to 70 feet of height and 30 to 50 feet of spread. Growth is fast, and the tree is hardy in zones 3 to 9. It prefers full sun and takes part shade. Clay, loam, sand and rich organic soil all suit it, at any pH from acid to alkaline, as long as the ground drains. Moist soil is its preference, but once established it tolerates dry spells.

Slippery Elm Bark, Leaves and Seeds

The name comes from the inner bark. Scrape a twig and you'll find it reddish brown and slick, nearly slimy, and it's been used in throat lozenges for a long time. The outer bark is gray, with flat, narrow ridges. Leaves are big, 4 to 8 inches, with double-toothed edges and a rough, sandpapery feel on top from tiny hairs, and paler undersides. The seeds come in spring as flat, papery, copper-brown discs, one seed each. Fall color is a soft yellow to gold.

Slippery Elm and Wildlife

Nesting birds use the crown. The seeds and buds feed songbirds, game birds and squirrels, and the twigs end up on the menu for deer and rabbits, so a tree guard on young plants isn't a bad idea. Moth and butterfly caterpillars chew the leaves.

Where to Plant Slippery Elm

Slippery elm works as an upper-canopy shade tree with shrubs and groundcovers underneath, and it suits larger lawns and restoration plantings. Our guide to layering slippery elm over understory plantings shows some combinations, and choosing native wholesale trees by site and mature size helps when you're building an order.

Good to Know About Slippery Elm

Dutch elm disease affects elms in general, so avoid crowding the trees and watch for wilting branches. The seeds drop in spring and make a light mess. Give the roots room to spread, and prune only dead or crossing wood. If a branch wilts in summer while its neighbors stay green, have it checked early.

Planting Slippery Elm Bare-root

Plant while the trees are dormant. Soak the roots first, open a hole wider than the root mass, set the tree at the depth it grew, and firm the soil. The smaller sizes (6 to 18 inches) go in quickly and establish well, while the 1-3 foot trees give a head start on height. Water weekly during the first summer, and keep grass and weeds away from the base.

Slippery Elm for Restoration and Shade Plantings

With packs of 100 to 1000, slippery elm suits larger jobs: native restoration blocks, field edges and large-lot shade plantings. At 12 by 12 feet, about 300 trees cover an acre, and because the species is fast and native a block fills in quickly.

Slippery Elm Tree Sizes, Packs and Shipping

Slippery elm trees ship bare-root in November, in 6-12 inch, 12-18 inch, 1-2 foot and 2-3 foot sizes and packs of 100, 500 and 1000, with a minimum order of 100. Volume pricing available. Browse more wholesale trees for sale.