The cedar elm typically grows to a height of 50-70 feet and a width of 40-60 feet. It has corky ridges on its drooping branches, scaly bark, and small, rough-textured, dark-green leaves. The leaves are much smaller than the American Elm's, and their fall foliage is yellow, except in the southern part of its range, where it remains evergreen. This tree has a rounded crown of drooping branches and is one of the smallest native elms.

The cedar elm is a native tree commonly planted for shade in east Texas. Due to its rough, cedar scale-like leaves, it is often found alongside Ashe Juniper (Juniperus ashei), also known as Cedar Elm. Juniperus ashei derived its name from "thick leaves" in Latin.

This attractive shade tree thrives in various soil types, showing hardiness and drought tolerance. It adds a vibrant yellow color to the landscape in autumn, and its small leaves break down nicely, so there's no need for raking. Young trees have corky "wings" on their branches. The Mourning Cloak and Question Mark butterflies use it as larval food. It withstands drought and heavy, infertile soils but is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. It is reasonably fast-growing but known to cause severe allergic reactions.