American Elm

Massachusetts State Tree

ElmsElmtrees.jpg

American elm trees

Graceful, elegant American elm trees; photo by Mike Rollinger on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).

Official State Tree of Massachusetts

Massachusetts designated the American elm (Ulmus americana) as the official state tree in 1941, commemorating the fact that General George Washington took command of the Continental  Army beneath an American elm tree on Cambridge Common in 1775. All State Trees

Native to eastern North America, the American elm tree has been severely afflicted by Dutch elm disease (introduced from Europe in 1941), which has killed nearly all the majestic old elms. American elms were once the shade tree of choice for gracing town squares and streets.

Massachusetts

Images

Graceful American elm trees; glorious in golden fall color.  Photo by Chris Ford/Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution).

American elm trees in fall color

Videos

Trees with Don Leopold - American elm