Side by side
Field elm or wych elm? How to tell them apart
Ulmus minor · Ulmus glabra
How to tell them apart – field elm: smaller, smooth and glossy leaf on a longer stalk, often corky ridges, and the seed close to the notch of the fruit; wych elm: much larger, very rough leaf with a short, hidden stalk, and large fruits with the seed in the middle.
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 wych elm: smaller, smooth and glossy leaf on a longer stalk, often corky ridges, and the seed close to the notch of the fruit.
- Wych elm
- Elm with a very large, rough leaf whose lopsided base covers the short leaf stalk; often three points at the tip.
- Compared with field elm: much larger, very rough leaf with a short, hidden stalk, and large fruits with the seed in the middle.
| Field elm | Wych 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, 8–16 cm, broadly obovate with a long pointed tip, often with two extra side points; double-toothed. Upper side as rough as sandpaper. The larger half of the leaf covers the very short stalk (2–5 mm) with an ear lobe. |
| 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. | Large (1.5–2.5 cm), round winged fruits with the seed in the middle; ripe in May–June. |
| Bark | Grey-brown, furrowed lengthways into small blocks; young twigs and suckers often with conspicuous corky ridges. | Smooth and grey for a long time, only later furrowed into broad, shallow ridges; young twigs thick and hairy, without corky ridges. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 15–30 m, often a shrub in hedges | Broadleaf tree, 20–30 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, 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 wych elm (20–30 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: Wych elm
- Field elm: when and how to prune
- Wych 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 Dutch elm
- Field elm or Japanese zelkova
- Field elm or field maple
- European white elm or wych elm
- Hazel or wych elm
- Dutch elm or wych elm
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.