The mucilaginous inner bark of the Slippery Elm is sometimes chewed and used medicinally for coughs and throat irritations. In some parts of the country it was used as a dressing for sores. It is somewhat nutritious and was used to an extent by the Indians for food. The bark of the English Elm, U. procera, has astringent, demulcent and diuretic actions. Elms will thrive in soil that is acidic or alkaline.
Loamy soil is the best, though.
Seeds should be used whenever possible. The different kinds come true to type only when the parent trees are isolated, because they hybridize very easily. Layering may also be done, using specially cut-down plants in the nursery for the purpose. Rare varieties may be grafted on closely related understocks. They will soon germinate and make good growth before the summer's end.