This medium-sized native tree has gray bark with long, narrow ridges (B). The leaves are 4-8 inches long and rough to the touch. They are usually uneven at their base and end in a long, narrow point (A). The winter buds are found on hairy twigs; they are covered with dense, red-brown fuzz (C). The winter twig silhouette is shown in image (F). The flower clusters, without stalks, turn into clusters of flat fruits (samaras), which have smooth margins and turn brown when mature (D,E). In comparison, American Elm (Ulmus americana) has smooth, pointed buds and elliptic samaras with hairy margins. The Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila) has spherical buds, hairy only on the scale margins. Cork Elm (Ulmus thomasii) has slim buds, stalked flowers, and often “corky” young branches.