Siberian elm
Ulmus pumila
An iron-tough biomass and windbreak tree that shrugs off brutal cold, heat and drought. Weak-wooded and a weedy self-seeder, so keep it cropped hard and watch for spread.
Siberian elm in a syntropic line
Siberian elm belongs in the High layer as a Secondary biomass species. Main production and shade trees for the line. Rough in-row spacing starts around 1.6 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Almond, Apricot. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- High
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Loam
- Soil pH range
- 5.5 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -40°C
- Min. rainfall
- 250 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- High
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Asia
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Extremely tough, cold- and drought-hardy biomass and windbreak tree for harsh sites; coppices readily and regrows fast after hard cuts.
How to propagate
Sow seed in spring or take hardwood cuttings in dormancy.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Classed as invasive/weedy in much of North America and elsewhere - prolific self-seeder; brittle, weak wood prone to storm breakage. Verify local invasive status before planting.
Frequently asked questions about Siberian elm
Is siberian elm frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -40°C when dormant, with high frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does siberian elm need?
It does best on sandy, loam ground, at pH about 5.5–8.5.
How much water does siberian elm need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 250 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can siberian elm handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — siberian elm has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with siberian elm?
Classed as invasive/weedy in much of North America and elsewhere - prolific self-seeder; brittle, weak wood prone to storm breakage. Verify local invasive status before planting.
Design your line to see how your land fits Siberian elm.
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