1. Normal Location of American Elms
American elms are native to eastern North America, ranging from southern Canada to Florida and westward to the Great Plains. They are commonly found in moist, well-drained soils along stream banks, bottomlands, and floodplains, though they are adaptable and can grow in urban areas as well.
2. Species That Use American Elms
Many species benefit from American elms, including:
Birds (e.g., Baltimore orioles, woodpeckers, chickadees)
Mammals (e.g., squirrels, raccoons, white-tailed deer)
Insects (especially elm leaf beetles, aphids, and butterfly caterpillars, such as the mourning cloak)
3. How These Species Use the Tree
Birds use the branches for nesting and the canopy for cover.
Mammals feed on buds, seeds, and leaves; raccoons and squirrels may den in cavities.
Insects feed on the leaves and sometimes lay eggs on the tree.
Decomposers rely on fallen leaves and dead wood for habitat and nutrients.
4. How Humans Use the Tree
Historically, American elms were popular shade and street trees due to their large canopies and vase-like shape. Their wood is used for:
Furniture, Flooring, Veneers, Boxes and crates
They were once widely planted in urban landscapes before Dutch elm disease significantly reduced their numbers.
5. Species Range of American Elm
Northern limit: Southern Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec in Canada
Southern limit: Central Florida and the Gulf Coast
Western limit: Central Texas, eastern North Dakota, and eastern Montana
Eastern limit: Atlantic coastal states from Maine to Florida
American elms are most abundant in bottomland forests, floodplains, and moist uplands but are also highly adaptable and can be found in urban landscapes, parks, and lawns across the region.
