Side by side
Field elm or Dutch elm? How to tell them apart
Ulmus minor · Ulmus × hollandica
How to tell them apart – field elm: smaller, smooth leaf on a longer stalk, and often corky ridges; Dutch elm: a cross with wych elm, larger and somewhat rougher leaf, with all kinds of intermediate forms.
How do you recognise them?
- Field elm
- Elm with a fairly small, smooth and glossy leaf with a very lopsided base; twigs often with corky ridges, many root suckers.
- Compared with Dutch elm: smaller, smooth leaf on a longer stalk, and often corky ridges.
- Dutch elm
- A cross between wych elm and field elm: medium-sized, somewhat rough leaf with a lopsided base and a short stalk; once the avenue tree par excellence.
- Compared with field elm: a cross with wych elm: larger and somewhat rougher leaf, with all kinds of intermediate forms.
| Field elm | Dutch elm | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, 4–10 cm, oval to elliptic with a pointed tip, double-toothed; upper side smooth and glossy, underside with white tufts of hair in the vein axils. Very lopsided base; leaf stalk 5–15 mm. | Alternate, 7–12 cm, oval with a pointed tip and lopsided base, double-toothed; upper side smooth to somewhat rough, often glossy. Leaf stalk 5–10 mm. |
| Flowering | Clusters of small reddish flowers in March, before the leaves (March). | Clusters of small reddish-purple flowers in February–March, before the leaves (March). |
| Fruit | Round to obovate winged fruits 1–1.5 cm long, with the seed near the top, close to the notch. | Round winged fruits 1.5–2 cm long; the seed lies between the middle and the notch. |
| Bark | Grey-brown, furrowed lengthways into small blocks; young twigs and suckers often with conspicuous corky ridges. | Grey-brown, furrowed lengthways; twigs without or with few corky ridges. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 15–30 m, often a shrub in hedges | Broadleaf tree, 20–35 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, normal | Full sun, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | Yes |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | November–February | November–February |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Both are native and good for wildlife: choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have.
- Field elm (15–30 m) and Dutch elm (20–35 m) both grow into large trees: too big for an ordinary garden, but fine in a large garden, a park or a meadow.
Read on
- Plant profile: Field elm
- Plant profile: Dutch elm
- Field elm: when and how to prune
- Dutch elm: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
- Chinese elm or field elm
- European white elm or field elm
- Field elm or Japanese zelkova
- Field elm or wych elm
- Field elm or field maple
- Dutch elm or wych elm
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.