The _leaves_ are alternate, simple, 4 to 6 inches long, rather thick,
somewhat one-sided, doubly toothed on the margin, and generally smooth
above and downy below. The leaf-veins are very pronounced and run in
parallel lines from the mid-rib to leaf edge. The _winter buds_ are
pointed, brown, ovoid and smooth.
The _flowers_ are small, perfect, greenish, on slender stalks sometimes
an inch long, appearing before the leaves in the early spring. The
_fruit_ is a light green, oval shaped samara (winged fruit) with the
seed portion in the center and surrounded entirely by a wing. This wing
has a conspicuous notch at the end and is hairy on the margin, a mark
distinctive of the species. The seed ripens in the spring and by its
wing is widely disseminated by the wind.
The _wood_ is heavy, hard, strong, tough and difficult to split. It is
used for hubs of wheels, saddle trees, boats, ships, barrel hoops, and
veneer for baskets and crates.
Because of its spreading fan-shaped form, graceful pendulous branches,
and long life, the white elm justly holds its place as one of the most
desirable shade trees.
The rock or cork elm, _Ulmus thomasi_ Sarg., is found occasionally in
northern Illinois. Its excurrent branches are very different from
those of other elms. Its twigs often have corky ridges and the winter
buds are somewhat hairy.
The winged elm, _Ulmus alata_ Michx., a small tree, is found in the
southern part of the State. The twigs have two thin corky wings.
+RED OR SLIPPERY ELM+ _Ulmus rubra_ Muhl.
(_Ulmus fulva_ Michx.)
THE red elm, or slippery elm, is a common tree in all sections of the
State. It is found principally on the banks of streams and on low
hillsides in rich soil. It is a tree of small to moderate size, but
noticeably wide-spreading. It is usually less than 50 feet in height and
16 inches in diameter although trees of larger dimensions are
occasionally found.
[Illustration: SLIPPERY ELM