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Cedar Elm

Ulmus crassifolia

Cedar elm is the iconic shade tree of Texas and the south-central states, thriving on heavy alkaline clay and drought. Unusually, it blooms and seeds in late summer or fall rather than spring.

Family
Ulmaceae
Type
tree
Lifespan
perennial
Height
50–70 ft
Spacing
40–60 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
dry, moist, wet
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Bloom
August, September
Bloom colors
green, brown
Wildlife value
songbirds, larval host
Caterpillar hosts
~215 butterfly & moth species
Landscape uses
specimen, rain garden
Native states
AR, FL, LA, MS, OK, TX