Elm

Elm, deciduous tree (genus Ulmus) common to North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It has toothed leaves and the seeds are carried on the wind by a wing. Elms, which grow to 160 ft (50 m) have tough wood, used in furniture and barrels. They are often grown as shade trees. The American, or white, elm (U. americana) is rapidly being killed off by Dutch elm disease, a fungus disease that is carried by the elm bark beetle. The disease, first identified in the Netherlands, appeared in the United States in the 1930s, spreading rapidly from New England. Other less valuable elms are immune to the disease.