Elms

Elms produce flowers that bloom in early spring, and seeds that mature in early summer. Although the wildlife value of elms is low when compared to other species, it is important to the purple finch, a common species in urban/suburban areas.  Although Dutch elm disease has killed many American elms planted in urban situations, examples of healthy specimens are still fairly common. The disease is spread by the native and European elm bark beetles, which are very small (2-3 mm) and generally go unnoticed. The larvae of both species feed on the inner bark, or phloem. It is during this feeding that the disease is spread.