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Field elm

Field elm suffered declines due to the devastating effects of Dutch elm disease, but can still be found across much of the UK.

Scientific name

Ulmus minor

When to see

January to December

Species information

Category

Statistics

Up to 31m

Conservation status

Common

About

Field elms are also known as small-leaved elms or smooth-leaved elms. As with English elms, they have suffered as a result of Dutch elm disease, which has affected all of the UK's elms, killing many mature trees and preventing new trees from growing. Field elms can reach a towering height of 31 metres, but are often found growing as smaller hedgerow shrubs.

How to identify

Elms can be recognised by their asymmetrical, oval leaves that are toothed around the edges and have very short stalks; they also produce winged fruit. Field elm leaves are smooth and glossy green on top.

Distribution

Widespread in the Midlands and south eastern England, but less well recorded elsewhere in Britain.

Did you know?

Elms are a foodplant for a number of insects, including the white-letter hairstreak (a butterfly) and white-spotted pinion (a moth). These species have undergone declines as a result of Dutch elm disease destroying the elms on which they feed.