Ulmus laevis / Olmo bianco

Origin: Central Europe, Western Asia.

Botanical characteristics: It is a deciduous tree up to 20 meters high with a wide crown. It has downy twigs and oval-shaped leaves with asymmetrical base covering the short petiole and doubly serrated margin. Leaves are provided with 12-19 secondary nerves on each side, smooth and shiny on the upper surface, paler and smooth on the lower one. In March, it bears small flowers on long stems, umbrella-shaped. Oval pedunculated samaras with ciliated margin follow the flowering.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It grows spontaneously in north-central Italy on moist forests, up to 600 meters above sea level but it is quite rare, this is why it is mostly cultivated.

Use: It is cultivated as shade plant in parks and gardens and is suitable for afforestation of wetlands in the plain.