Wholesale Slippery elm bark

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information about slippery elm

description
Ulmus rubra, commonly known as slippery elm, is a deciduous tree of the Ulmaceae family.

The slippery elm tree can grow to 65 feet (20 m) in height with its trunk gaining a diameter of 20 inches (50 cm). Slippery elm differs from the American elm in a number of ways. Slippery elm

has a more upright branching pattern. The tree can also be distinguished from the American elm by the hairiness of its buds and twigs; American elm buds and twigs are smooth. Slippery elm trees also have very short-stalked flowers.

The tree's roughly textured leaves are 4-6 inches (10–18 cm) in length and have coarsely double-serrate margins, acuminate apices and oblique bases.

The flowers are perfect, apetalous, and wind-pollinated. They are produced prior to the leaves in early spring, usually clustering in groups of 10–20. The tree's fruit is an oval winged samara that contains a single, central seed; the samara is about 3/4 inches (20 mm) in length.

common names & nomenclature
The common name slippery elm is an allusion to the tree's mucilaginous inner bark. Additionally the color of the trees heartwood is reddish-brown, giving the tree its alternative common name Red Elm.

Also known as:
red elm, gray elm, soft elm, moose elm, indian elm, slippery elm

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for slippery elm

Ulmus rubra—the Slippery Elm—is native to eastern North America. Its range spans from southeast North Dakota, east to Maine and southern Quebec, south to northernmost Florida, and west to eastern Texas.

03.
Cultivating & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting slippery elm

climate
Slippery elm commonly grows on the banks of streams and low rocky hillsides in sun to part shade.

soil
Slippery elm trees thrives in moisture-rich uplands, but they will also grow in dry, intermediate soils.

growing
As soon as ripe, sow seeds in a cold frame, they usually germinate within a few days. Seeds that have been stored do not germinate well. Transplant into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant in the garden in late spring or early summer. Be sure to transplant before the plant is two years old, slippery elm will develop a thick tap root that will render later transplanting less successful.

harvesting
Harvest the inner bark in summer before it dries out in the fall.

preserving
Store dried slippery elm inner bark and powdered slippery elm in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story