Leaf: Alternate, simple; blades oval to elliptic, pointed at the tip, strongly asymmetrical at the base, up to 7 inches long, coarsely doubly toothed along the edges, the upper surface is green and very rough to the touch, the lower surface is smooth or hairy; up to one-half inch long.
Flower: In drooping clusters, appearing before the leaves unfold, greenish, hairy, small.
Fruit: Circular, winged fruits up to three-fourths inch in diameter, each wing surrounding a single seed.
Twig: Reddish brown, with short, gray hairs; leaf scars alternate, each with 3 bundle traces.
Bark: Reddish brown to gray, with shallow furrows; the inner bark becomes slippery when chewed.
Form: Tree
The Slippery Elm can be used for ship building, farm implements, fence posts, herbs, and medicine. Native Americans used slippery elm in healing wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation. The common name "Slippery Elm" refers to the slimy inner bark.
The Slippery Elm is located in bottomland woods; along streams; rocky, upland woods. It's range is Quebec across Ontario to North Dakota, south to Texas, east to Florida.
In Illinois, it is found in every county.
The Slippery Elm is located at N 39° 02.559' W 89° 56.862' A large specimen of this tree is next to Meissner Elementary's Band Building, 504 E. Warren St., Bunker Hill, IL.
© Community Unit School District #8 Bunker Hill, 504 E. Warren, Bunker Hill, IL 62014
References:
Mohlenbrock, Robert H. Forest Trees of Illinois. Springfield, IL: 1992.
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsHerbs/SlipperyElmch.html