American Elm

About American Elm in Alberta

American Elm is a large North American elm that has become one of the defining planted urban trees of Alberta, especially in older boulevards, parks, and institutional landscapes. It is recognized by its tall vase-shaped crown, asymmetrical doubly serrate leaves, and early spring samaras. For Ancient Roots Alberta purposes, it is one of the province's most important heritage-tree species because Alberta and especially Edmonton still hold one of the last exceptionally large surviving urban concentrations of mature American elms, now under direct Dutch elm disease pressure after Edmonton's 2024 confirmation.

Identification: Leaves are oval to egg-shaped with a pointed tip, strongly doubly serrate margins, and a distinctly asymmetrical base. The upper surface is rough, and the underside shows raised veins. Compared with Siberian Elm, the leaves are usually larger, rougher, and more strongly double-serrate.

Alberta range and habitat: This note treats American Elm as a planted species in Alberta rather than part of the province's native wild tree flora.