Ulme

Ulme is the German common name for elm, referring to trees in the genus Ulmus within the family Ulmaceae. In German-speaking regions, Ulme covers several elm species native to Europe, Asia, and North America.

The genus Ulmus comprises around 20 species, including Ulmus glabra (wych elm), Ulmus laevis (European white elm), Ulmus minor (field elm), and Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm). Species vary in size, shape, and habitat preference, but many share a preference for temperate climates and well-drained soils.

Elm trees are typically deciduous with broad, often high canopies. Leaves are alternately arranged, simple, and usually serrated, with a sometimes asymmetrical base. Flowers are inconspicuous, and the fruit is a winged samara. Bark is often rugged and fissured.

Habitats vary by species; elms are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and are commonly found along rivers, in woodlands, and as urban or park trees. They can be long-lived and support diverse ecosystems, though some species are more vulnerable than others to disease and drought.

Uses and disease: Elm wood is valued for its strength and workability and has historically been used for furniture and veneers, while elms are widely planted as ornamental street trees for their graceful form. A major threat in the 20th century was Dutch elm disease, caused by fungi in the Ophiostoma genus and spread by bark beetles. Mortality led to large-scale removals and renewed interest in resistant cultivars, hybrids, and diversified urban planting to restore elm presence.