Ulmus procera
| Ulmus procera | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 115' |
| Width: | 49' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Early Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Ulmus procera (common name: english elm)
Propagation: Seed - if sown in a cold frame or outdoor seedbed as soon as ripe it usually germinates in a few days. A high proportion of the seed is not viable but seed is normally freely produced and can be sown thickly to take into account the poor viability. Stored seed does not germinate so well and should be sown in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants should not be allowed to grow for more than two years in a nursery bed since they form a tap root and will then move badly.
Layering of suckers or coppiced shoots.
Cultivation: Prefers a fertile soil in full sun[1], but is easily grown in any soil of at least moderate quality so long as it is well drained[2]. Tolerant of atmospheric pollution[3].
The English elm is susceptible to 'Dutch elm disease', a disease that has destroyed the greater part of all the elm trees growing in Britain. Mature trees killed back by the disease will often regrow from suckers, but these too will succumb when they get larger. There is no effective cure (1992) for the problem, but most E. Asian, though not Himalayan, species are resistant to the disease so the potential exists to develop new resistant hybrids with the native species[4]. The various species hybridize freely, the pollen stores well and can be kept for use with species that flower at different times[4].
A food plant for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera species[5], there are 80 species of insects associated with this tree[6]. A good tree for growing grapes into[7].
Range: Western and southern Europe, including Britain.
Habitat: Hedgerows, by woods and roads, less frequent in the north[8].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked[9][10][K]. They can be a little bit bitter, especially if not very young, and have a mucilaginous texture[K]. They make a nice addition to a mixed salad[K].
Immature fruits, used just after they are formed - raw[9][11]. An aromatic, unusual flavour, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and the breath smelling pleasant[12]. They contain about 34.4% protein, 28.2% fat, 17% carbohydrate, 5% ash[10].
Inner bark - cooked. A mucilaginous texture[10]. It can be dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[9][11].
A tea is made from the leaves[11].
Medicinal: The dried inner bark is anti-inflammatory, astringent, demulcent, mildly diuretic, resolvent, tonic and vulnerary[3][13][14]. It is used both internally and externally in the treatment of diarrhoea, rheumatism, wounds, piles etc and is also used as a mouthwash in the treatment of ulcers[3][14][15]. The inner bark is harvested from branches 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use[14].
The sap has been used in the treatment of baldness[13].
The leaves are astringent and have been powdered then used in the treatment of haemorrhoids[13]. A decoction is used to treat reddened and inflamed skin as well as to relieve various skin disorders[13].
The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Occasional feelings of inadequacy', 'Despondency' and 'Exhaustion from over-striving for perfection'[16].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the inner bark[3]. It is used as an astringent[3] and as a treatment for eczema[14].
Usage: A fibre from the inner bark is very tough[3]. It is used for making mats and ropes[3].
Tannin and a dyestuff are obtained from the inner bark[13]. No details of the colour are given.
Wood - close-grained, free from knots, very durable under water, fairly hard, elastic, withstands abrasion and salt water, but does not take a high polish. It is used for water pipes, wheels, mallet heads, ships keels etc[3][13][17] and is a good firewood[18].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Late Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: U. campestre. pro parte. U. glabra pubescens. U. surculosa.
Links
References
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Corbetta, Francisco. The COmplete Book of Fruits and Vegetables. 1985.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Freethy, Ron. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press, 1985.
- ↑ Chancellor, Philip. Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. C W Daniel, 1985.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana, 1979.