Ulmus Crassifolia - Cedar Elm Seedlings

Ulmus Crassifolia Cedar Elm Seedlings 

 Ulmus crassifolia, or the cedar elm, is an attractive native tree that thrives throughout the American South. Hardy in USDA Zones 6–9, it is famous for its ability to grow in less-thanideal conditions where other tree species would tap out.

Cedar Elm Tree Characteristics

Cedar elms have large, dense canopies and gorgeous fall color and are known for being built for adversity. Amongst its elm cousins, the cedar elm is the botanical workhorse of the family. As one of the toughest native tree species, cedar elm seedlings are a great option for many restoration and ecological projects where other native seedling species would struggle or fail. Cedar elm seedlings have a moderate to fast growth rate and can tolerate a variety of conditions.

Ulmus Crassifolia Seedlings can tolerate extreme drought

They are known to establish and grow on moist or dry limestone-rich soils, along streams and bottomlands, on dry or poorly drained sites, and can even withstand clayey, compacted soils and areas affected by sea salt spray. Because of their reputation for being tough, land and property managers will find cedar elm seedlings appropriate for many uses, including native tree restoration, land reclamation, large-property plantings, difficult-site establishment, native grove establishment, naturalized landscapes, and urban applications.

 Cedar Elm Seedlings - Urban Environments and Naturalized Areas Benefit

 Apparently, the cedar elm never received the memo that a tree is supposed to choose between liking wet or dry soil! Though cedar elm seedlings do best in moist, well-drained, fertile soils in full sun or partial shade, they can survive in difficult sites. Ultimately, a cedar elm will grow to around 70’ tall and 40’ wide, and some specimens can reach over 100’ tall.

 For establishing habitat and attracting wildlife, cedar elm seedlings are a fabulous choice! They are a host plant for native butterfly and moth species, whose caterpillars provide a key food source for native songbirds. In addition, their fruits, called samaras, are eaten by several bird species and ripen in the fall. Planting cedar elm seedlings can help establish a continued food source for wildlife, as most other native elm species produce their samaras in spring. For humans, the cedar elm is amongst the most striking of the native elm species aesthetically.

Rugged and Durable

Its broad canopy and smaller-than-average leaves give the cedar elm a delicate appearance despite its rugged character, and the leaves turn a beautiful gold come autumn. The wood of the cedar elm is extremely tough, and the species is also known as Southern Rock Elm. Cedar elm seedlings are valuable for many ecological, wildlife, and restoration projects. Cedar elms are attractive, tough, and flexible when it matters. Where some native species fail on difficult-to-establish sites, cedar elm seedlings will dig in and grow. With the grit to thrive where other trees fail and the grace to dress itself in brilliant gold each fall, the cedar elm proves that toughness and beauty can indeed grow from the same seedling.