American Elm
Ulmus americana
Buckley, Grand Traverse County, Michigan
Circumference = 282 inches (23.5 feet)
Height = 112 feet
Average Crown Spread = 115 feet
Total Points = 423
Nominated: 1997
by: Evelyn Sika & John Spencer
cloned: 1997
| National Champion
| American Elm Ulmus americana Buckley, Grand Traverse County, Michigan Circumference = 282 inches (23.5 feet)
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The American Elm is probably the best known and most admired of all native American trees. Also called White Elm and Water Elm, it has beauty, grace and stateliness with no superior. From a distance the American Elm's erect, flaring "feather duster" crown is easy to identify.As a forest tree, the American Elm stands in the front rank. Its wide range, good wood, rapid growth, and adaptation to a wide range of soils recommend good care and protection.
This magnificent American Elm specimen is growing in a cornfield on the Svec Farm in northwest Michigan, just a few miles from David Milarch's home. The crotch of the tree sprouts twelve stems, each as big as most elm trees, and is ten feet above ground. The tree stands five stories high, and a full-sized ranch house will fit under either side of its canopy. It was discovered and registered by postwoman Evelyn Sika in 1997, who took these photos. The dramatic photo below was captured at sunrise, and is available as a postcard. For further news about this magnificent tree, visit:
| Evelyn Sika's
Champion Photo |
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| © 1998 by Evelyn Sika
available as a postcard from Evelyn Sika Postmistress, Copemish, MI 49624 |
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"One morning last year, Evelyn Sika, the postmistress for Copemish, Michigan, was waiting with me for the Smithsonian photographer to take shots of the new National Champion American Elm. A thunderstorm had passed over just before dawn. As the sun rose in the east and cracked the horizon, with the dark purple storm clouds above, it lit up that Elm like a billion golden lights. Evelyn had her camera and she captured that moment.
It was such an impressive picture, she not only had it blown up, she had it made into postcards. They are being sold at gift shops and stores, and by environmental and tree groups." |
—David Milarch 1999 |