Scotch Elm, also known as Scot’s Elm or Wych Elm, is a majestic tree scientifically named Ulmus glabra. Belonging to the Ulmaceae family and native to Europe and Western Asia, this woody plant thrives in hardiness zones 4, 5, and 6.
Though once a common sight, the population of Scotch Elm has significantly declined due to Dutch elm disease. This loss has also impacted the white-letter hairstreak butterfly, whose caterpillars rely on the tree for sustenance. Beyond its ecological importance, the Scotch Elm holds a place in folklore, where it was believed to inspire prophetic dreams.
This hardy tree remains a fascinating subject for gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike, blending historical significance, ecological value, and rustic beauty.
| Common name | Scotch Elm, Scot’s Elm, Wych Elm |
| Botanical name | Ulmus glabra |
| Family | Ulmaceae |
| Species | glabra |
| Origin | Europe, Western Asia |
| Life cycle | Woody |
| Plant type | Tree |
| Hardiness zone | 4, 5, 6 |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Medium |
| Soil condition | Clay |
| Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Spacing | more than 60 ft. |
| Harvest time | Spring |
| Flowering period | Spring |
| Height | 7- 100 ft. |
| Flower color | Green |
| Leaf color | Green |
| Fruit color | Brown, Copper |
| Fruit type | Samara |
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Ulmus glabra Hudson, the wych elm or Scots elm, has the widest range of the European elm species, from Ireland eastwards to the Ural Mountains, and from the Arctic Circle south to the mountains of the Peloponnese and Sicily, where the species reaches its southern limit in Europe; it is also found in Iran.
A large deciduous tree, it is essentially a montane species, growing at elevations up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft), preferring sites with moist soils and high humidity. The tree can form pure forests in Scandinavia and occurs as far north as latitude 67°N at Beiarn in Norway. It has been successfully introduced as far north as Tromsø and Alta in northern Norway (70°N). It has also been successfully introduced to Narsarsuaq, near the southern tip of Greenland (61°N).
The tree was by far the most common elm in the north and west of the British Isles and is now acknowledged as the only indisputably British native elm species. Owing to its former abundance in Scotland, the tree is occasionally known as the Scotch or Scots elm; Loch Lomond is said to be a corruption of the Gaelic Lac Leaman interpreted by some as ‘Lake of the Elms’, ‘leaman’ being the plural form of leam or lem, ‘elm’.
Closely related species, such as Bergmann’s elm U. bergmanniana and Manchurian elm U. laciniata, native to northeast Asia, were once sometimes included in U. glabra; another close relative is the Himalayan or Kashmir elm U. wallichiana. Conversely, Ulmus elliptica from the Caucasus, considered a species by some authorities, is often listed as a regional form of Ulmus glabra.
The word “wych” (also spelled “witch”) comes from the Old English wice, meaning pliant or supple, which also gives definition to wicker and weak. Jacob George Strutt’s 1822 book, Sylva Britannica attests that the Wych Elm was sometimes referred to as the “Wych Hazel”, a name now applied to the unrelated species Hamamelis, commonly called “wych hazels”.
The type sometimes reaches heights of 40 m (130 ft), typically with a broad crown where open-grown, supported by a short bole up to 2 m (6.6 ft) diameter at breast height (DBH). Normally, root suckers are not seen; natural reproduction is by seed alone.
The tree is notable for its very tough, supple young shoots, which are always without the corky ridges or ‘wings’ characteristic of many elms. The alternate leaves are deciduous, 6–17 cm long by 3–12 cm broad, usually obovate with an asymmetric base, the lobe often completely covering the short (<5 mm) petiole; the upper surface is rough.
Leaves on juvenile or shade-grown shoots sometimes have three or more lobes near the apex. The perfect hermaphrodite flowers appear before the leaves in early spring, produced in clusters of 10–20; they are 4 mm across on 10 mm long stems, and being wind-pollinated, are apetalous. The fruit is a winged samara 20 mm long and 15 mm broad, with a single, round, 6 mm seed in the center, maturing in late spring.
The wych elm is moderately shade-tolerant, but requires deep, rich soils as typically found along river valleys. The species is intolerant of acid soils and flooding, as it is of prolonged drought. Although rarely used as a street tree owing to its shape, it can be surprisingly tolerant of urban air pollution, constricted growing conditions, and severe pollarding.
As wych elm does not sucker from the roots, and any seedlings are often consumed by uncontrolled deer populations, regeneration is very restricted, limited to sprouts from the stumps of young trees. The resultant decline has been extreme, and the wych elm is now uncommon over much of its former range. It is best propagated from seed or by layering stooled stock plants, although softwood cuttings taken in early June will root fairly reliably under mist.
Wych elm was widely planted in Edinburgh in the 19th century as a park and avenue tree, and despite losses, it remains abundant there, regenerating through seedlings. It was introduced to New England in the 18th century, to Canada (as U. montana at the Dominion Arboretum, Ottawa) and Australia in the 19th century.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Wych elm thrives in full sun, where it receives unfiltered light for at least six hours per day. This exposure fosters vigorous growth and robust health. However, wych elm also demonstrates an adaptability to partial sun conditions, suggesting a resilience to light variations. In non-optimal lighting, wych elm’s growth rate may slow, with potential implications for its overall vitality.
Wych elm’s foliage can exhibit adaptative responses to fluctuating light levels, optimizing photosynthesis. Recommended outdoor planting for wych elm involves locations with ample sunlight but with some protection from the harshest midday rays, to align with its light tolerance profile.
Temperature
Plants of Genus Ulmus are mainly native to the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. These trees are known for their adaptability – they enjoy adequate sunshine, but are also tolerant to cold and drought, with a developed root system that provides resistance to strong winds and soil erosion. The trees have a long lifespan and are usually fast growers, with strong vitality.
Watering
Wych elm thrives in environments that mimic its native woodland habitat, requiring soil moisture consistent with a temperate climate. It is moderately drought-tolerant but benefits from regular hydration to support its growth. Watering should occur once every two weeks, ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. Wych elm is typically an outdoor plant, and as a deciduous species, it manages water reserves efficiently to prepare for the leaf-shedding season.
Soil
Wych elm can tolerate a variety of different soil types and pH values, but good drainage is a must. Fertile sandy loam is best suited to the tree’s growth, and this can be mixed with garden soil, leaf mold and river sand at a ratio of 1:1:1 as cultivation soil.
Fertilizing
For wych elm, optimal growth involves using balanced nutrition fertilizers; spring and fall is ideal. Favor high nitrogen variants in early spring to support leafy growth, reducing frequency as dormancy nears. Biannual applications suffice; follow label rates to avoid over-fertilization. Benefits include robust foliage and overall vigor, vital for mature trees.
Seasonal adjustment is key: increase nitrogen in growth periods, taper off in late summer. Apply fertilizers to moist soil, not directly on the trunk or roots to prevent burn. Proper fertilization is a boon for wych elm, ensuring a resilient, thriving specimen.
Pruning
Prune wych elm in the late winter to thin its branches and remove any that are diseased. This is also a good time to prune for tree shape. In the spring, once the branch buds sprout, you will need to remove any excessive lateral buds. Select the buds from the parts needed for cultivation to maintain the tree’s shape, as this will reduce unnecessary nutrition consumption.
Propagation
Wych elm propagates well through hardwood cuttings, layering (air), and seed sowing during the autumn and winter seasons. Propagation is generally easy, and signs of success include new growth and root development. It is important to ensure that the soil is well-draining, and to keep the cuttings or seeds moist during the establishment period.
Transplanting
For transplanting wych elm, early spring (S1) is ideal, offering optimal growth conditions. Choose a sun-dappled, partially-shaded location to mimic its native forest environment. Remember, moist yet well-drained soil aids in avoiding transplant stress and supports healthy root development.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
A beautiful weeping tree that is usually planted for its looks, the wych elm is also tolerant of a variety of water, soil, and light conditions. Its wide canopy makes it perfect as a shade tree or as the canopy for a shade garden, and its beauty and impressive size makes it a good specimen tree for large gardens.
- Medicinal uses
In 18th century France, the inner bark of Ulmus glabra, orme pyramidale, had a brief reputation as a panacea; “it was taken as a powder, as an extract, as an elixir, even in baths. It was good for the nerves, the chest, the stomach — what can I say? — it was a true panacea.” It was this so-called “pyramidal elm bark” about which Michel-Philippe Bouvart famously quipped “Take it, Madame… and hurry up while it [still] cures.” It still appeared in a pharmacopeia of 1893.
- Other uses
Wych elm wood is prized by craftsmen for its colouring, its striking grain, its ‘partridge-breast’ or ‘catspaw’ markings, and when worked, its occasional iridescent greenish sheen or ‘bloom’. The bosses on old trees produce the characteristic fissures and markings of ‘burr elm’ wood. Bosses fringed with shoots are burrs, whereas unfringed bosses are burls.
Find Where to Buy the Best Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)
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