Today we added a young winged elm (Ulmus alata) to the arboretum collection. This species grows abundantly in Caddo Parish—it is very 'weedy'. There are three mature winged elms in the arboretum: one is an on-site native; one was intentionally collected from Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park in Caddo Parish; and one is a volunteer. Our new recruit was planted in full sun near Mickle Hall, and it is expected to flourish with very little maintenance.
 |
This specimen was collected in Caddo Parish, just north of Shreveport.
Discovered in 2023, after it had germinated in a pot of soil meant for
another plant, it now enters the Centenary campus as a 2-year-old, measuring 18 inches tall.
|
 |
| Our little tree has already leafed-out. We see serrate leaf margins. |
 |
| And looking closer, we see a slight ridge along the stem. This young tree is developing its corky 'wings', which help us identify this tree as a 'winged' elm. Sweet gum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua) also have this characteristic. |
US Forest Service Ulmus alata Fact Sheet
