Ulmus rubra is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading head of branches, commonly growing to 12–19 m (39–62 ft), very occasionally > 30 m (98 ft) in height.
Its heartwood is reddish-brown, giving the tree its alternative common name 'red elm'.
The species is chiefly distinguished from American elm by its downy twigs, chestnut brown or reddish hairy buds, and slimy red inner bark.
The broad oblong to obovate leaves are 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long, rough above but velvety below, with coarse double-serrate margins, acuminate apices and oblique bases; the petioles are 6–12 mm (¹⁄₄–¹⁵⁄₃₂ in) long.
The leaves are often red tinged on emergence, turning dark green by summer, and then a dull yellow in the fall.
The perfect, apetalous, wind-pollinated flowers are produced before the leaves in early spring, usually in tight, short-stalked, clusters of 10–20.
The reddish-brown fruit is an oval winged samara, orbicular to obovate, slightly notched at the top, 12–18 mm (¹⁵⁄₃₂–²³⁄₃₂ in) long, the single, central seed coated with red-brown hairs, naked elsewhere.
Ulmus rubra is a medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading head of branches, commonly growing to 12–19 m (39–62 ft), very occasionally > 30 m (98 ft) in height. Its heartwood is reddish-brown, giving the tree its alternative common name 'red elm'. The species is chiefly distinguished from American elm by its downy twigs, chestnut brown or reddish hairy buds, and slimy red inner bark. The broad oblong to obovate leaves are 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long, rough above but velvety below, with coarse double-serrate margins, acuminate apices and oblique bases; the petioles are 6–12 mm (¹⁄₄–¹⁵⁄₃₂ in) long. The leaves are often red tinged on emergence, turning dark green by summer, and then a dull yellow in the fall. The perfect, apetalous, wind-pollinated flowers are produced before the leaves in early spring, usually in tight, short-stalked, clusters of 10–20. The reddish-brown fruit is an oval winged samara, orbicular to obovate, slightly notched at the top, 12–18 mm (¹⁵⁄₃₂–²³⁄₃₂ in) long, the single, central seed coated with red-brown hairs, naked elsewhere.
Ulmus rubra