Habit is open and irregular. Fast growing tree, weak wooded and relatively short lived. Leaves are simple and small. Foliage color is dark green. Flowers in he spring and fruits in the summer.
Fruit resembles a small papery samara about the size of the nail of a little finger.
This species is very adaptable and can take almost any condition. Very hardy to 50 below zero. Not recommended for landscaping except perhaps a naturalized area where nothing else will grow. Very susceptible to breakage and to elm leaf beetle but not to Dutch elm diseaseVariety purpurea has same characteristics as above only the foliage is purplish in color and makes an interesting contrast in the landscape. Native to Siberia and China.