| Siberian elm | USDA PLANTS Symbol: ULPU U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Hardwood Trees Shrub or Subshrub |
| Ulmus pumila L. |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Urticales: Ulmaceae |
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| Native Range: E. Siberia, N. China, Turkestan (REHD); Temp. Asia (GRIN); | |
Siberian elm is a deciduous tree up to 70 ft. (21.3 m) in height. The crown is open and rounded with slender, spreading branches. The leaves are less than 3 in. (7.6 cm) long, alternate, simple, singly-serrate, and dark-green in color. The bark is light-gray with irregular furrows. Green, inconspicuous flowers develop, in drooping clusters, in the spring. Fruits are flat, circular and 1/2 in. (1.3 cm) wide. Siberian elm invades pastures, roadsides and prairies throughout the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the United States. The trees are very drought and cold resistant allowing it to grow in areas where other trees cannot. The abundant, wind-dispersed seeds allow this plant to spread rapidly. Siberian elm forms dense thickets that close open areas and displace native vegetation, thereby reducing forage for wild animals and livestock. Siberian elm is native to northern Asia and was first introduced into North America in the 1860s. It has been planted throughout the Midwest and Great Plains for windbreaks and lumber. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
![]() Foliage; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
![]() Infestation; In undeveloped land near house Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
![]() Foliage; Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
![]() Tree(s); Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
![]() Fruit(s); USDA NRCS Archive, USDA NRCS, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
![]() Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
![]() Bark; John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
![]() Tree(s); John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org |
![]() State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. |
| U.S. National Parks where reported invasive: |
| Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Utah) Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) |



















