Jump To:

• wych elm
  wych elm

  noun

  an elm, Ulmus glabra, of northern and western Europe, having large, coarse leaves.
• wych-elm
  wych-elm

  noun

  Eurasian elm tree, Ulmus glabra, having a rounded shape, longish pointed leaves, clusters of small flowers, and winged fruits

wych elm

American  

[wich] / wɪtʃ /

noun

1. an elm, Ulmus glabra, of northern and western Europe, having large, coarse leaves.

---

wych-elm British  

/ ˈwɪtʃˌɛlm /

noun

1. Eurasian elm tree, Ulmus glabra, having a rounded shape, longish pointed leaves, clusters of small flowers, and winged fruits

2. the wood of this tree

---

Etymology

Origin of wych elm

1620–30; wych wych elm, Middle English wyche, Old English wice

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wych elm wych-elm

The wych elm is the last remaining tree of a row that was planted along the original promenade in the 19th century, to shelter it from the sea breeze.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The 150-year-old wych elm on the central promenade took more than 30% of the national public vote.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

The wych elm at Beauly in the Highlands is almost 800 years old, with references to the tree found in records going back to medieval times.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2021

Alder and ash are the main tree species but there are also bird cherry and hazel and small numbers of wych elm, gean, holly, rowan and elder.

From BBC ● Nov. 20, 2014

Hard by stood a bush of wych elm; its tettered bark, overlined as if with the character of some unknown tongue, made the young ashes yet more beautiful.

From The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft by George Gissing

No, it wasn't; and if he did not quite understand it, the artistic crew would still less; it was English, and the wych-elm that she saw from the window was an English tree.

From Howards End by E. M. (Edward Morgan) Forster

We messed away with a garage all among the wych-elm roots, and last year we enclosed a bit of the meadow and attempted a rockery.

From Howards End by E. M. (Edward Morgan) Forster

The grassy hillocks, each with a little upright headstone, were shaded by a grand old wych-elm.

From Ruth by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

"No, better'n nothing," said Miss Avery, and turned to the wych-elm.

From Howards End by E. M. (Edward Morgan) Forster

He had drawn her out of the house, where there was danger of surprise and light; he had led her by a path he knew, until they stood under the column of the vast wych-elm.

From Howards End by E. M. (Edward Morgan) Forster