Chinese Elm?

[b1]

Hi, I've been trying to up my tree identification skills. I came across several of these in the woods near me (MD). Most of the other trees in the woods are Tulip Poplars. 

 

 

[WDH]

Slippery elm.  Ulmus rubra.  The surface of the leaf should be very scabrous (like rubbing on 80 grit sandpaper). 

[b1]

Oh ok. What's throwing me is the bark? I can't find any examples of slippery elms that have bark even close to this, always that kind of vertical running ridge look? But every specimen I found in the area had this same rounded scale look. Is this typical?

[WDH]

Yes, at least here in the South it can have the tongue-depressor-like-scales on the older trees.  Very distinctive.  Your leaves are also too big for Chinese elm.  Are the leaves sandpaper-scabrous?

[b1]

Cool thanks! I need to head back over there and double check the texture of the leaves but If I remember correctly I think you may be right they were rough. 

[kantuckid]

American Chestnut? Leaf size and specifics not real easy from the picture, but that bark doesn't remind me of any elm I've seen. I grew up around lots of elms in KS-slippery elms-we called them pith elms, Dutch elms and Chinese elms mostly as yard trees in hot/dry areas.

[WDH]

Chestnut does not have a doubly serrate leaf margin.  The elms do.  Chestnut does not have an inequilateral leaf base.  The The elms do.