How to Identify Elm Leaves

Elms are beautiful trees known for their vase-like shapes. They were often planted in the centers of downtowns across the country. However, many elm trees have succumbed Dutch Elm Disease, and they can be hard to find. If you want to learn how to identify the leaves of these beautiful trees, here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Note the shape of elm leaves. They usually are elliptical to oblong in shape with a prominent point at their tip.

2. Observe elm leaves' veination. The veins are regularly spaced on the leaf, and they resemble a feather.

3. Look at the margins. The leaf margins consist of pointy teeth that are regularly spaced. These larger teeth also have smaller teeth on them. This particular pattern is referred to as double-toothed leaves.

4. Note how the stem attaches to an elm leaf. The end of the leaf narrows abruptly to the stem. The stem is also typically bent to one side.

5. Get a guidebook to aid you in the identification of specific species of elm. There are several species of North American Elm as well as other elm species around the world. A good field guide to consider is "Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification" published by St. Martin's Press. Purchase this guidebook online at Amazon or in bookstores.

Resources

• Information on trees from the Arbor Day Foundation.