elm

Everyday

1. An elm is a tall tree with rough, oval leaves with jagged edges. tree →
2. Elm is the hard wood from this tree. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons the elm is a common tree of Europe and North America; many elms died from a disease spread by beetles, so old elms are now rarer. In stories elms line old roads and village greens. Phrases: «an elm tree», «Dutch elm disease», «an avenue of elms».

Examples

• A tall elm stood beside the church. tree →
• Elm leaves have jagged edges and uneven bases. tree →
• Many elm trees died from Dutch elm disease. tree →
• The chair was made of elm. tree →
• Squirrels ran up the old elm. tree →
• We collected elm seeds, which are flat and round. tree →
• The street was once lined with elms. tree →

Note

Countable for the tree, uncountable for the wood. Starts with a vowel sound: «an elm». «Dutch elm disease» is caused by a fungus carried by beetles, not by anything from the Netherlands.