siberian elm

Siberian Elm Ulmus pumila
Family: Ulmaceae (Elm)
Branching: Alternate

This Elm is often planted and commonly escapes. Its buds are the most distinctive of the elms, being small, round and very dark. The flower buds in particular and nearly spherical and quite a bit more plump than the leaf buds on the same twigs. The bark is a light gray (instead of the brown of other elms) and in the summer its leaves are smaller and don't exhibit as much of the asymmetrical base as other elms.

Siberian Elm twig. Notice the round, plump flower buds

Winter twig, showing the contrast between the leaf buds at the top and the flower bud below

Another view of the twig

Mature bark

Closeup of the bark