Fluttering elm

The elm (Ulmus laevis) is a tree in the elm family. The leaf is ovate to oval, pinnate-nerved, double-serrated leaf margin. The underside of the leaf is hairy. The brownish-grey bark flakes off young trees. You can recognize it from the other elms because its flowers (and later the fruits) are on long stems. Hence its name: fluttering or stalk elm.

Elms are susceptible to Dutch elm disease, which is caused by a fungus spread by the elm spider beetle. But because these beetles don't really like the fluttering elm, the tree usually escapes this disease.

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos