Elm Wood Uses, Types, Properties, Advantages, and Disadvantages

What is elm wood?

Elm wood is a species of wood that has several types, with almost the same common use. We tend to use American Elm data because it doesn’t seem much different from other elms.

This is a wood that is not very resistant to rot and is susceptible to insect attack. Elm prices are in the moderate range.

The properties of elm wood

It is a wood that is susceptible to insect attack and is not as durable in its resistance to rot. It also emits a strong, unpleasant odor when it is green.

Working elm may not be easy because some artistry challenges can occur. Finally, a common health risk is skin and eye irritation.

Elm wood advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

Moderately priced: Elm prices are in the moderate range.

It seems like it’s pretty decent for this wood. Although we got information that the mature elm population was decreasing due to Dutch elm disease.

However, it seems that this has not increased the price of elm wood.

We think the price It’s going to get cheaper if the elm population gets abundant.

Disadvantages

Not durable: The durability of the elm is unreliable. Because it is not durable against decay and

susceptible to insect attack. Susceptibility to Dutch elm disease is also a problem for live mature elms.

It doesn’t seem good if understood further. It seems we prefer other wood better than elmwood for use.

Unpleasant odor: When green, elm usually emits a strong, unpleasant odor.

This doesn’t seem like a serious problem. Because the smell will decrease after drying.

But we think it should be listed here so that you can be more careful in using it.

Because maybe some of you don’t like wood with that unpleasant odor.

Elm wood for boxes

All types of elm wood, American, Cedar, Dutch, English, Red, Rock, Winged, and Wych are commonly used for boxes.

It seems like the elm is quite worthy of this, although it is vulnerable to insect attacks.

However, you can still make small boxes for short-term use.

It’s not recommended to making large boxes for long-term use.

Elm wood for baskets

Making wooden baskets out of elm seems like a good idea.

While elm is not durable wood, it seems like baskets don’t need it.

Because simple wooden baskets from elm may only be in the low to medium price range.

The use of baskets is also relatively not too heavy.

Elm wood for furniture

Maybe making elm furniture isn’t a great idea.

Not durable to rot and susceptible to insect attack is the main problem.

However, elm is still commonly used for furniture.

It seems like you don’t need to think about making large furniture.

We think it’s better if we used it only for small furniture.

Elm wood for hockey sticks

Use elm wood to make hockey sticks because this wood is commonly used for that.

All the types of elm we previously mentioned above can be used.

Seems pretty good if you make your own.

However, it appears that commercial purposes are more profitable.

Although it’s quite difficult to make them manually, you can make homemade hockey sticks of good quality.

Elm wood for veneer

Most woods that I know of are commonly used for veneers, as well as elm wood.

The elm wood look seems pretty good for that too.

If you don’t have a cutting machine for veneers, it’s best to sell one.

Because veneers seem to be produced more for commercial than personal purposes.

Elm wood for pulpwood

This may not produce the best quality paper.

Because we didn’t find elm on Wikipedia’s pulpwood list.

However, it seems that elm can be used for certain low-quality papers or just as an alternative.

You need to know that all the types of elm we mentioned above are commonly used for pulpwood.

Elm wood for papermaking

In addition to pulpwood, you can also use elm for papermaking.

Maybe elm is ideal for that because of some things.

We haven’t found a definite reason yet.

It’s only on the list of common uses for elms, except for English elms.

Though we think all kinds of elm can be used for this.

Elm wood for archery bows

If you want a homemade archery bow, then it seems like using English elm wood is the right choice.

The reason may be because this wood is strong enough, elastic enough, and not easily broken.

Only English elm is commonly used for this. It looks like other elms don’t qualify for this.

Types of elm wood

American elm (Ulmus americana)

American elm is also known as Soft elm and Water elm.

The tree is 65-100 ft tall, with an Eastern to the Midwest United States distribution.

The appearance of American elm is light brown to dark brown with a hint of yellow, has a straight grain, and has a variety of color displays.

This wood is not resistant to rot; I mentioned the common use of this wood, except archery bow.

Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)

It is a light reddish-brown to light heartwood with interlaced grain.

Cedar elm trees can be up to 100 feet tall, and their distribution is South-central North America.

This wood is not durable, including susceptible to insect attack.

Common Uses for this wood are furniture, boxes, baskets, veneers, and more.

Dutch Elm (Ulmus x hollandica)

The Dutch elm distribution is European, with a tree 80-115 feet tall.

It’s a brown to dark brown wood with straight grain. Just like other elms, dutch elm is also not very resistant to rot.

But we think the color is pretty good for some furniture.

Common uses for Dutch elm are veneers, boxes, furniture, and more.

English Elm (Ulmus procera)

English elm, also known as Carpathian elm, has an unattractive woody appearance, with a bright light brown and wavy grain.

English elm tree up to 115 feet tall, with a Western European distribution.

Its properties are similar to those of the other elms I mentioned earlier, including their common use.

Red Elm (Ulmus rubra)

Red elm is also known as Slippery elm and Soft elm.

This wood is reddish-brown with a unique wavy grain.

The red elm tree is 50-80 feet tall, and the trunk diameter is 2-3 feet.

The distribution of this wood is Eastern to the Midwest United States.

You can use it for pulpwood, papermaking, veneer, and more.

Rock Elm (Ulmus thomasii)

Not much is different from the elm, especially its properties.

But its appearance is different, including rock elm. It is brown wood with interlocking grains.

The wood is not durable, is moderately priced, and emits an unpleasant odor when it’s green.

The common use of this wood is no different from the others.

Winged Elm (Ulmus alata)

The winged elm, also known as the Wahoo, is a species of elm shorter than the others.

Because the tree is only 35-50 feet tall, the distribution of winged elm is Southern and south-central the United States.

Its properties and uses are may be quite similar to before.

It’s just that the appearance of winged elm is less attractive, including the color and grain.

Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)

The last elm on this list is Wych elm which is also known as Scots elm.

Not much we can mention here because the properties and use are not much different from the others. However, Wych elm looks different, tends to brown with other colors.

We think it looks less attractive.

Conclusion

Elmwood is commonly used for many things, although it’s unreliable in its rot resistance and is susceptible to insect attack.

This is not good wood for furniture such as mahogany, teak, oak, maple, walnut, and others. But still reliable.

Elm prices are also in the moderate range.