American Elm
Ulmus americana · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 830 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Slightly Durable, with poor rot resistance when exposed to moisture and prone to insect attack.
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Grain Pattern
Interlocked, wavy grain pattern with prominent ring-porous cathedral arches and a distinctive circular growth knot feature in the upper left quadrant.
Color & Appearance
Light grayish-brown to medium brown with pale sapwood, featuring a moderate natural luster and slight chatoyance. Darkens gracefully over time upon light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
830 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Slightly Durable, with poor rot resistance when exposed to moisture and prone to insect attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Moderate, approximately $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot depending on grade and figure.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be moderately aged, around 10 to 30 years old based on surface oxidation and patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Not CITES listed and not on the IUCN Red List, though heavily impacted historically by Dutch elm disease. Widely available from domestic sources.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, interior paneling, boxes, baskets, hockey sticks, and formerly widely used for wooden boat building and vehicle bodies due to its exceptional resistance to splitting.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Difficult to work by hand due to its interlocked, twisted grain which causes tearing during planing. Holds nails and screws well with good gluing properties, but requires sharp tooling.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains, oils, and polyurethane finishes well. Proper sanding is essential to handle the interlocked grain and avoid tear-out.
Notable Features
Noted for its extreme toughness and resistance to splitting, interlocking grain, and distinct ring-porous structure.
