Field Elm Origin

The field elm (Ulmus minor) is a deciduous tree and belongs to the elm family. It is widespread in Europe, northern Asia and North America and can grow up to 20 m tall.

In Greek mythology, the elm was dedicated to the god Hermes. Hermes was considered the protector of merchants and thieves and was also seen as the guide of souls to the Judge of the World. Winged elm fruits accompanied the souls on this journey. Nymphs often planted elms to commemorate fallen heroes. Traditionally, the English used the field elm to make coffins.

The field elm has an oval, spreading crown and its bark is initially smooth and grey, but becomes cracked and blackish with age. The leaves of the field elm are lanceolate and have a smooth, shiny surface. In spring, the field elm produces small, green flowers, which later turn into seed-ripening fruits. The field elm is an important bee pasture tree and is often planted as a street tree.

For several years now, there has been an elm disease caused by a fungal infection. The fungus is spread by the wind and after the fungus has infected the trees die within a few years.

Care and location of the field elm

The Field Elm prefers a sunny location but can grow in shaded areas. It is important to note, however, that it will have less growth and vigor in these conditions and may be more susceptible to fungal and pest attacks. The soil should be well-drained and moist and is ideally slightly acidic or neutral.

Cutting the field elm

The field elm can be pruned to improve its shape and control its growth, but care should be taken to leave healthy branches so that the tree has enough leaves to photosynthesize. In general, the field elm is a hardier tree that requires little maintenance, but it is important to check regularly for pests and diseases and treat them if necessary. If these basic care tips are followed, the field elm will remain healthy and beautiful for many years.

Watering field elm

The water requirements of the field elm depend on various factors such as age, size, soil and climate. Rising temperatures and increasing dryness can put the field elm under stress. Depending on the location and the climatic situation, it may be necessary to water the field elm more frequently during dry periods and on days with full sun than in previous years.
The field elm needs more water than other shrubs and trees and the soil should never dry out completely. The field elm should be watered with a larger amount of water rather than watering it several times in small amounts. As a guideline, young field elms need 70 l of water per watering and older trees 150 to 200 l. When watering with a garden hose, a large amount of the water seeps into the soil or evaporates before it can be absorbed by the roots.
With tree bath watering bags is watered more efficiently and water is saved at the same time. The watering bags from baumbad have two small holes that release water evenly and over several hours as drip irrigation to the wych elm. This leads to even moisture in the soil, which means that the roots near the surface also absorb the water well.
The water bag also covers the ground and prevents the water from evaporating. A tree bath watering bag provides young trees with sufficient water.
To irrigate existing trees with a larger trunk diameter, two or three irrigation bags can be connected together using zippers.

Fertilizing field elm

The field elm does not require regular fertilization, as it usually grows in natural soil and can absorb nutrients from the soil. However, in very dry and nutrient-poor soils, it can be beneficial to occasionally feed the plant with an organic fertilizer such as compost or horn shavings. A layer of mulch will help keep the soil moist and prevent weed growth. Care should be taken not to apply mulch directly to the trunk of the field elm. This can lead to fungal or mold problems that can damage the trunk of the tree.

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