Siberian elm

Quick facts

Siberian elm is an invasive species.

Siberian elm is able to move into and quickly dominate disturbed prairies in just a few years.
It grows in areas with poor soils and low moisture.
Seed germination is high and it establishes quickly on sparsely vegetated soils.
It can cross pollinate with native elms, making identification difficult.
It is resistant to Dutch Elm disease.

Siberian elms should be reported. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides detailed recommendations for reporting invasive species.

close up of Siberian elm tree

How to identify Siberian elm

Deciduous tree, 30 to 70 feet high with an open, rounded crown and slender, spreading branches.

Stem

Bark is dark gray and shallowly furrowed on mature tree.

Branches

Thin, delicate-looking, silver-gray twigs have a zig-zag shape with a leaf bud at each turn.

Leaves

Alternate, small, 1–2 inches, elliptic, toothed, short-pointed tips and slightly uneven at the base.
Distinctly smaller size and much less uneven leaf base than American elm.

Flowers

Greenish, lacking petals and occurring in small, compact, drooping clusters of 2 to 5.
Appear before leaves develop.

Fruit and seeds

Winged, round, smooth fruit hangs in clusters.
Contains one seed.
Can be a prolific seed producer.

close up of Siberian elm leaves — Siberian elm leaves

a cluster of light brown Siberian elm seeds — Siberian elm seeds

Roots

Extensive, shallow.

Angela Gupta, Extension educator; Amy Rager, Extension educator; Megan M. Weber, Extension educator

Reviewed in 2019

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