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Ulmus alata, Winged Elm

Winged Elm will easily adapt to full sun or partial shade, growing quickly on any soil. It is an adaptable tree and is well-suited for planting in parking lot islands, along streets or as a yard shade tree. It must be pruned regularly beginning at an early age and continuing through about age 30 to eliminate double and multiple trunks. This is easier on some trees than on others. It is easier on those that form a natural central leader and a more-or-less pyramidal shape, others are more difficult to prune correctly because of the vase shaped with many leaders originating from one spot on the trunk. Select branches which form a wide angle with the trunk, eliminating those with narrow crotches. Strive to produce a central trunk with major lateral limbs spaced along the trunk.

Trees occur naturally in north and central Florida south to Osceola County.

The tree is found in it native habitat growing in wet sites as well as dry, rocky ridges making it a very adaptable tree for urban planting. Tree form ranges from pyramidal to rounded. Trees in the forest grow to 70 feet tall or more. Natural form varies widely from round to pyramidal.

Existing trees are occasionally left near new homes and other buildings in new developments. Roots damaged by construction equipment can decay quickly. This can leave the plant with few supporting roots in the years following construction despite a green canopy. This and other trees treated similarly could fall over as a result. In addition, branches that are suddenly exposed to unlimited light when nearby trees are removed begin to grow rapidly. As a result, they could become too long and break. Keep them shortened with reduction cuts to help prevent breakage.

The wood is considered ring porous which means that there is a large difference in size between the spring wood pores and the summer wood pores. All elms reportedly produce allergenic pollen. Plants serve as hosts for the question mark (Polygonia interrogationis) butterfly larvae.