The American Elm tree, Ulmus americana, is the largest and most wide spread elm tree in the United States. These Elm trees have a tall drooping crown growing above divided trunks which give the Ulmus americana a distictive vase-like appearance. This shade tree grows best on rich moist soils but will withstand less than optimum conditions. American Elm trees are used on lawns, shelterbelts, and as an ornamental. This deciduous tree provides birds and mammals with food from the fruit and the buds of this native tree. It grows rapidly and it is widely adaptable.