Slippery elm, or red elm, is found in the eastern and southern parts of the state as far as the upper Guadalupe and Leon Rivers in Kerr and Comal Counties. It is found principally on the banks of streams and on low hillsides in rich soil. It is a tree of small to moderate size, but noticeably wide-spreading. It is usually less than 40 feet in height and 6 inches in diameter, although trees of larger dimensions are occasionally found.
The [BARK] on the trunk is frequently 1 inch thick, dark grayish-brown on the surface, uniformly tan or cream colored in cross section, and broken by shallow [fissures] into flat ridges. The inner bark is used to some extent for medicinal purposes and, when chewed, affords a slippery [mucilaginous] substance, whence the tree gets its name.
The LEAVES are [simple], [alternate] on the stem, 4 to 6 inches in length, sharp-pointed, their bases unsymmetrical, doubly toothed on the edges, thick, dark green, and very rough above, [pubescent] below.
SLIPPERY ELM (Leaf and [fruit], one-third natural size; twig, one-half natural size)
The FLOWERS appear in early spring and are nearly [sessile]. The [FRUIT], a [samara], ¾ inch long and ½ inch in diameter, consists of a seed surrounded by a thin, broad, greenish wing. The fruit ripens when the leaves are about half grown. The margin of the fruit is not [ciliate].
The WOOD is close-grained, tough, strong, heavy, hard, and moderately durable in contact with the soil. Slippery elm and American elm are sold commercially as “soft elm,” and have similar uses.
PLANER TREE (Water Elm)
Planera aquatica (Walt.) Gmel.
Planer tree or water elm is found on low wet lands along the streams of the eastern part of the state as far west as Brazos and Matagorda Counties. It forms a small spreading tree with a low broad head 30 to 40 feet in height and with a maximum trunk diameter of 20 inches.
