Winged Elm: The Distinctive Corky-Winged Native Shade Tree

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• Family:	Ulmaceae (ulm-AY-see-ee) (Info)
  Genus:	Ulmus (ULM-us) (Info)
  Species:	alata (a-LAY-tuh) (Info)

Overview

The Winged Elm (Ulmus alata), also called Wahoo or Cork Elm, is a medium-sized, deciduous native tree of the southeastern and south-central U.S. It is instantly recognizable by its **unique, corky, wing-like ridges** that develop on young branches and twigs—a feature that provides striking winter interest and gives the species its name (alata = winged).

Form, Foliage & Bark

It grows 30–50 feet tall (occasionally to 80 ft) with a rounded to vase-shaped crown and a relatively short trunk. Leaves are small (1.5–3 inches), oval, doubly serrate, dark green above, paler and hairy below, turning a modest yellow in fall. The **corky wings** are irregular, 1/4–1/2 inch wide, appearing on 1–2 year old twigs and persisting—creating a distinctive, textured silhouette in winter. Bark is gray-brown, furrowed, with flat ridges. Small, reddish flowers appear in late winter/early spring before leaves, followed by samaras (winged seeds) with hairy margins.

Adaptability & Dutch Elm Disease

Winged Elm is **notably resistant to Dutch Elm Disease (DED)**—a critical advantage over American Elm. It thrives in a wide range of soils: dry, rocky, clay, sandy, acidic to alkaline, and tolerates both drought and periodic flooding. Full sun to part shade. It is a tough, adaptable urban and street tree for the South and lower Midwest (Zones 6–9).

Uses & Landscape Value

The wood is hard, heavy, and strong, historically used for tool handles, wheel hubs, and flooring. In the landscape, it offers a native, disease-resistant shade tree with unique winter texture (the wings), moderate size, and low maintenance. It is underutilized but deserves wider planting as a resilient, characterful native for difficult sites.