American Elm

 

Photo: Matthew Richardson

All elms have two ranked, alternate leaves, i.e., they go two directions on one plant, in this cse left or right, but not top to bottom.  Also, all elms have an asymmetric leaf base, and are doubly serrate.  The bark of American elm has alternate layers of brown and white (if you take a piece); this is not true in slippery elm.  Slippery elm has very rough leaves, winged elm has wings on twigs.  Insect damage is common on the leaves of American elm.  The leaves in this picture are 12 to 15 cm long.