Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures ( Trees ), 1 by htop

htop wrote:
Cedar Elm, Olmo, Basket Elm, Scrub Elm, Lime Elm, Texas Elm, Southern Rock Elm (Ulmus crassifolia), Ulmaceae Family, Texas native, evergreen to deciduous, typically blooms August through September, fruit ripens from September to October (flowering dates have been reported as early as July and fruiting as late as November. When flowers appear in August, fruit ripens in September, and then a second flowering and fruiting may occur in October and November, respectively), known to cause severe allergy reactions similar to ragweed reactions

The cedar elm is used frequently as a street tree and small shade tree in the desert southwest due to its ability to survive in difficult soil types with very little care. It is relatively fast growing ang long living. If you need a vertical tree that is more tall than broad, cedar elm fits the bill. It is commonly named "cedar elm" because it is often found with ashe juniper which is locally called "cedar." Leaf fall is late in the year, often in early winter and It provides vivid yellow color to the landscape (except in the southern part of the tree's range where it is evergreen). Because the leaves are small and they decompose quickly, they do not need to be raked. It is one of two native Texas elms that flower and set seed in the fall.

Cedar Elm is the most widespread native elm in Texas. Growing in all areas of the eastern half of Texas, it can not be found natively in the extreme southeastern part. It usually is found on moist, limestone soils along water courses such as in flat river bottom areas (cedar elm flats') and wooded areas near riverbanks. But it also grows on dry limestone hills; however, the tree is small and scrubby in this environment. It grows in dense, poorly drained clay soils (vertisols) in central Texas. It is adaptable to various soils; but prefers moist to dry alkaline soils. It can be seen growing in sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay, caliche type soils. Cedar elm can thrive in heavy, poorly drained clay soils and soils that are moderately compacted. .

Native distribution:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Texas&statefip...

Its twigs are pubescent and reddish brown. The brown to reddish, but more often gray, bark has ridges flattened and broken into thin, loose scales and only forms on mature trunks, limbs and branches after a minimum of 5 yrs. The oblique based leaves are small, 2.5 - 5 cm long and 1.3 - 2 cm wide.

The reddish-purple flowers are so small that they are inconspicuous. They are produced in fascicles of three to five on slender, pubescent pedicels located in the axils of the leaves. The red-to-green, hairy calyx is divided into four to eight equal and acute lobes. The stamen is composed of five or six slender filaments and reddish purple anthers. The green, 6 to 13 mm (0.25 to 0.5 in) long, pubescent fruit (samara) is oblong and flattened, with a deep notch at the apex. They mature quickly in the fall. The seed within samura are acute, unsymmetrical and covered with a dark chestnut brown coat. The seeds are disseminated by wind with germination occuring the following spring. Air-dried seeds may be stored at 4° C (39° F) for at least I year. Stratification at 5° C (41° F) for 60 to 90 days before sowing may increase germination rates. Because they are fall-ripening, plant after winter storage and stratification.

The seeds are part of the diet of several bird species. In south Texas, including chachalaca, pheasants, quail, songbirds and wild turkey. Dead cedar elms provide nesting sites for cavity-dwelling birds. It provides cover for wildlife and squirrels and deer eat the buds as well as the seeds. In addition, other small mammals eat the seeds. It is a larval host for the Mourning Cloak butterfly, Question Mark butterfly.

The wood is very strong and has good shock resistance so the lumber is mixed with other southern elm species and sold as r"ock elm". Rock elm is Ulmus thomasii; but, cedar elm goes by this name as well. Their specific gravity and shrinkage are quite similar. Furniture and fence posts are made from it. Because it is well suited to steam bending, it is used to make containers such as barrels, baskets, boxes and crates to name a few. Caskets and dairy, poultry, and apiary supplies are other products made from the wood.

For more informatio, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/82851/index.html

The small leaves which are somwhat rough ...