SIBERIAN ELM THREATENS OUR NATIVE PLANTS
We've all noticed the seed from the noxious trees called the Siberian Elm. Some call it, incorrectly "Chinese Elm". Due to the abundant precipitation we've experienced lately, this invasive tree can do a lot of damage. Be sure to manage your property to keep it from spreading. Read the following from the fs.usda.gov:
Impacts/threats
With moisture, Siberian elm germinates readily and grows
rapidly. It quickly out-competes desirable native plants,
especially in sparsely vegetated or disturbed areas. A high
density of Siberian elm can reduce shade-intolerant species
(including quality forage) and decrease overall species
diversity.
Siberian elm can dominate new locations in just a few years
due to its adaptability, high rate of germination, and rapid
growth.
Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.)
Elm family (Ulmaceae)
Siberian elm is common to southwestern states and is listed
as a noxious tree in New Mexico. This field guide serves as
the U.S. Forest Service’s recommendations for management
of Siberian elm in forests, woodlands, and rangelands
associated with its Southwestern Region. The Southwestern
Region covers Arizona and New Mexico, which together
have 11 national forests. The Region also includes four
national grasslands located in northeastern New Mexico,
western Oklahoma, and the Texas panhandle.
Description
In moist environments, Siberian elm (synonyms: Asiatic
elm, dwarf elm, and Manchurian elm) is a hardy, fastgrowing,
mid-sized, deciduous tree. In drier locations, it
is smaller and takes on a shrubby appearance. Siberian
elm has an open crown with upward-growing branches
and many flexible, pendulous, brittle branchlets that easily
break off. There is usually a large accumulation of leaves
and woody litter that builds up in the understory beneath
Siberian elm.
Growth Characteristics
• Deciduous tree (up to 70 feet tall) with an open,
rounded crown that is 3/4 as wide as it is tall; slender,
spreading branches.
• Trunk has rough grey or brown bark with shallow,
irregular furrows.
• Twigs are silver-grey, yellowish, or grayish-brown,
zigzag-shaped with a leaf bud at each bend and
scattered spots (lenticels).
• Alternate leaves; 0.5 to 2.5 inches long, tapered
at each end with a simple serrate or entire margin;
upper surface deep green; lower surface paler green
with hairs along vein axils. Leaves may turn yellow
in autumn.
• Reproduces primarily via seed; roots resprout when
top growth is damaged.
• Clusters of 2 to 5 small, green, drooping flowers
without petals occur from February through April
before leaves develop.
• Clusters of smooth, circular, winged, samara-type
fruit with single seed in the center occur from April to
May.
Location
Siberian elm prefers open areas but tolerates a wide range of
conditions including long periods of drought, cold winters,
poor soil conditions, high winds, and low moisture. In the
Southwest, it commonly grows on disturbed grounds, moist
streambanks, in pastures and rangelands, and along road
and railroad rights-of-way. Siberian elm does not tolerate
flooding and seldom invades mature forest because of its
high requirement for sunlight.
Spread
Siberian elm seed is primarily dispersed via wind, although
seed may also be transported by water and animals.
With moisture, Siberian elm germinates readily and grows
rapidly. It quickly out-competes desirable native plants,
especially in sparsely vegetated or disturbed areas. A high
density of Siberian elm can reduce shade-intolerant species
(including quality forage) and decrease overall species
diversity.
Siberian elm can dominate new locations in just a few years
due to its adaptability, high rate of germination, and rapid
growth.
Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila L.)
Elm family (Ulmaceae)
Siberian elm is common to southwestern states and is listed
as a noxious tree in New Mexico. This field guide serves as
the U.S. Forest Service’s recommendations for management
of Siberian elm in forests, woodlands, and rangelands
associated with its Southwestern Region. The Southwestern
Region covers Arizona and New Mexico, which together
have 11 national forests. The Region also includes four
national grasslands located in northeastern New Mexico,
western Oklahoma, and the Texas panhandle.
Description
In moist environments, Siberian elm (synonyms: Asiatic
elm, dwarf elm, and Manchurian elm) is a hardy, fastgrowing,
mid-sized, deciduous tree. In drier locations, it
is smaller and takes on a shrubby appearance. Siberian
elm has an open crown with upward-growing branches
and many flexible, pendulous, brittle branchlets that easily
break off. There is usually a large accumulation of leaves
and woody litter that builds up in the understory beneath
Siberian elm.
Growth Characteristics
• Deciduous tree (up to 70 feet tall) with an open,
rounded crown that is 3/4 as wide as it is tall; slender,
spreading branches.
• Trunk has rough grey or brown bark with shallow,
irregular furrows.
• Twigs are silver-grey, yellowish, or grayish-brown,
zigzag-shaped with a leaf bud at each bend and
scattered spots (lenticels).
• Alternate leaves; 0.5 to 2.5 inches long, tapered
at each end with a simple serrate or entire margin;
upper surface deep green; lower surface paler green
with hairs along vein axils. Leaves may turn yellow
in autumn.
• Reproduces primarily via seed; roots resprout when
top growth is damaged.
• Clusters of 2 to 5 small, green, drooping flowers
without petals occur from February through April
before leaves develop.
• Clusters of smooth, circular, winged, samara-type
fruit with single seed in the center occur from April to
May.
Location
Siberian elm prefers open areas but tolerates a wide range of
conditions including long periods of drought, cold winters,
poor soil conditions, high winds, and low moisture. In the
Southwest, it commonly grows on disturbed grounds, moist
streambanks, in pastures and rangelands, and along road
and railroad rights-of-way. Siberian elm does not tolerate
flooding and seldom invades mature forest because of its
high requirement for sunlight.
Spread
Siberian elm seed is primarily dispersed via wind, although
seed may also be transported by water and animals.
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