Features, looks and more

Appearance of the leaves of the elm

• alternating arrangement
• the leaf margin is double-edged
• Elm leaves are oval to round in shape
• they are feathery

Other features

• Elm leaves are somewhat similar to those of the hazel, which is why there is an acute danger of confusion
• Elm leaves fall from the tree relatively early

Overview of the characteristics of the leaves of different elm species

• the thorn elm: egg-shaped, symmetrical leaf base, alternate, partly strongly serrated leaf margin
• the American elm: elongated, egg-shaped, up to 20 cm long, double serrated leaf margin, asymmetrical, alternate
• the Dutch elm: asymmetrical leaf base, short stalked, double serrated, slender, egg-shaped shape, tapering to a point
• the mountain elm: asymmetrical leaf base, double serrated, ovate, short stalked
• the flutter elm: corresponds to the characteristics of the mountain elm except for a long leaf stalk

It is interesting, among other things, that you can distinguish the elm species native to Europe (mountain elm, common elm and field elm) by the length of their petioles.

• Mountain elm: short stalked
• White elm: long-stalked
• Field elm: sessile

Are elm leaves poisonous?

Did you know you can eat the young elm leaves? Try them as an ingredient instead of the conventional ones in salads.

The dying of the Dutch elm leads to the loss of leaves

Do the leaves of your elm turn brown and become dry and withered? Then there is the possibility that your deciduous tree is suffering from the now widespread Dutch elm disease. First of all, you can recognize the symptoms mentioned by the leaves. The fungus responsible for the disease later spreads to the branches until the entire tree dies. The mountain elm in particular is at risk of contracting the pest. Unfortunately, no means have yet been discovered to counteract Dutch elm disease. As a preventive measure, it is advisable to regularly check the leaf dress of your elm for signs of the fungus.