Although in decline, the American elm is found throughout eastern North America, extending west to Manitoba and Texas. It is common on bottomlands, alluvial flats, margins of streams, ponds, swamps, and lakes, and on moist fertile slopes and uplands in association with other hardwoods.

It thrives in loamy soils, but doesn’t have a high tolerance for prolonged flooding during the growing season. It has intermediate shade tolerance, yet prefers full sunlight. This tree grows well with sugarberry, green ash, and sycamore, but it is shaded out by sugar maple and American beech.