ULMUS MINOR

FIELD ELM

Tree with a dense crown, straight trunk and rough bark. Its oval leaves are double-serrated and asymmetrical. The small, green flowers grow from the leaves. Its fruit is a samara which contains a seed in the middle.

FUN FACT: Its strong pivoting roots act as piling, which is why it has been used in the Netherlands since the 12th century to stabilise the soil on the banks of the canals. It is believed that almost 90% of this species has disappeared from the Iberian Peninsula as a result of Dutch elm disease, caused by a fungus introduced and spread by bark beetles.