Spotlight on Elm Pick Your Favorite fl Avor for Your Next Project by Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk
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WoodSense Spotlight on Elm Pick your favorite fl avor for your next project By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk Red Elm White Elm A century ago, Dutch Elm creamy white to darker brown Disease (DED) decimated (the darker heartwood can millions of elm trees, many special applications: First, red be easily confused with red). of which adorned American elm’s split-resistant interlocking White elm may show some city streets. (Fun fact: “Elm” grain made it a prized wood staining, but this does not affect is the 15th most common for hoof-resistant barn �loor the wood’s integrity. Red elm street name in the USA.) The underplanks. normal Secondly, conditions, although elm the remains in the darker red- encouraging news is that these wood is susceptible to decay fast-growing trees are enjoying contact with water. This unusual a comeback. Elm lumber still resists rot when kept in constant brown spectrum and does not isn’t as readily available as display a major color difference other domestic hardwoods, af�inity made it a natural choice mindfulbetween ofsap the and grain. heartwoods. The wild days,for barrels, elm is shipbest keels,reserved and for even Color is important, but be tricky, but it’s worth the hunt. below-ground water pipes. These so This�inding striking a supplier hardwood can be duepatterns to alternating of �latsawn grain) boards are is affordable and easy to smaller projects, primarily due enchanting,(often with ribbon-like but elm’s working �igure Whereto its poor the dimensional wood comes stability. from Elms grow east of the Rockies, arework. often Perhaps intermixed the biggest in kilns from Southern Canada to characteristics multiply the andchallenge lumber is racks.that elm Two species of the northern Florida. Although Elm Quick Take most common varieties— White Red White (Ulmus americana) and in where old elms have fallen; DENSITY 35 lbs./ft 3 38 lbs./ft 3 Red (Ulmus rubra)—share fast-maturing trees are �illing HARDNESS S o ft Medium many characteristics, but to DED. As a result, researchers many newcomers still fall prey STABILITY Low disease-resistant hybrids. These ROT/INSECT Low each possesses a few unique newhave trees been blenddeveloping characteristics new RESISTANCE thequalities. best stock Knowing from what the stack. sets TEXTURE Coarse them apart can help you select TOXICITY Low History in Woodworking of the parent trees, further Howconfounding to select easy the identi�ication. best stock Chair spindles and seats, USES boats, coffi ns, sporti ng equipment, decorati ve Elm served as an important turnings, veneer attributesutility wood lending for a couple themselves of to names.As shown White in the ranges photos, from white centuries, with two unique and red elms live up to their 68 woodcraftmagazine.com Oct/Nov 2016 Red Elm Flatsawn with burl R i ft s a w n White Elm straight-graineddif�iculty factor associated stock, or white, red requires more muscle startwith �iguredsmall, until wood. you Select know when hand planing, although it what you’re getting into. tears less and is easier to scrape. With elm, careful seasoning However,Similarly, becausepower tools of interlocking produce Flatsawn cleaner edges, with less fuzzing. cuts light to avoid tearout. driedand storage boards are can particularly suffer grain,White you’ll and still red wantelm are to keepboth important. Improperly kiln- well suited to steam bending storage can also invite the woodexcessive to move. warping, Carefully and careless stack adhesives. The wood isn’t and glue up well with standard and sticker newly purchased typically prone to splitting, boards immediately to keep wordbut pre-bore of warning for screws to backyard and Workingthem �lat andelm straight. in the shop sawyersnails just and to play to turners it safe. A who work with wet wood: is softer. (You can dent a board R i ft s a w n Compared to red elm, white elm Finishingfreshly cut elm is pungent! with a �ingernail.) Although slow As with oak, ash, and other ring- tameto dull with edges, hand white tools. has To a avoid�ibrous tearingquality thatand/or makes leaving it tough a wooly to ofporous the early woods, wood, pigment so if you stain want Heartwood morewill accentuate consistent the coloring, large pores use dye Whitesurface, elm make is easier sure yourto handle plane irons are sharp and mouths tight. also makes it a good candidate instead. The open pore structure with power tools, but keep edges sharp and take light passes. for pickling. All topcoat �inishes TakeRed care elm when is only power-sanding slightly yellowswork well like on ash, both while species. red elm to avoid introducing dips. darkensUnder a clearhandsomely �inish, white with age.elm harder, but it makes a practical difference.Photos: Larry Hamel-Lambert In comparison to Oct/Nov 2016 woodcraftmagazine.com 69.