Question: Good morning, could you please help with the identification of this woody plant? I found it yesterday in Fitchburg, MA …
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Question
Good morning, could you please help with the identification of this woody plant? I found it yesterday in Fitchburg, MA on an upland, sandy gravelly soils. It seemed to be a small tree, or large shrub, with only a single stem growing from the base (at least as far as I could tell with 3 feet of snow!). I thought working through the buds would make it obvious, but I'm stuck! My first thought was hazelnut, but I sold on it. Thanks, in advance!
Answer
Dear KDC, the branch appears to be from Ulmus pumila (Siberian elm). It has the correct phyllotaxis (arrangement of the winter buds) and shape. You can examine images on Go Botany for this species and see other winter bud images. Best wishes.
