American Elm at Wave Hill

Borough: Bronx
Community Board: 08
Designated: 1985

Tree Details

Species: American elm (Ulmus americana)
Height: 114.8 Feet
Trunk Diameter 57.1 Inches
Average Canopy Spread 70.5 Feet

The American elm at Wave Hill is located south of the Shade Border and west of the Aquatic Garden. The exact age of the tree is unknown; it may have been planted by estate owners, or it could have been a vestige of a wild volunteer sapling. Wave Hill estimates that this tree started growing sometime in the early to mid-1800s--making it close to 200 years old! The tree's distinctive, vase-like shape is best appreciated from a distance; the Shade Border arbor offers perfect viewing of this specimen. There used to be more American elms on the property and throughout the country, but Dutch elm disease devasted them in the 1930s. This survivor started to show signs of the disease in the 2000s. Since then, the tree's life has been extended by removing diseased limbs and thoughtful management.

Location

Wave Hill
At the top of the lawn just southeast of the Wave Hill House.

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