Medium; visual characteristics including the open ring-porous structure, color variation between heartwood and sapwood, and swirling knot patterns strongly point toward American Elm or a closely related species like Hackberry. confidence

American Elm (or potentially Hackberry)

Ulmus americana · Hardwood

Type: Hardwood
Origin: Eastern and central North America
Hardness: 830 lbf (Soft)
Durability: Slightly Durable; susceptible to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture or ground contact.

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Grain Pattern

Irregular and interlocked grain with pronounced growth ring patterns, featuring a large knot and swirling grain around the knot area.

Color & Appearance

Light brown heartwood with distinct lighter grayish-white sapwood, moderate natural luster, and color that tends to darken slightly to a warm amber over time with exposure to light.

Hardness (Janka)

830 lbf (Soft)

Durability & Decay Resistance

Slightly Durable; susceptible to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture or ground contact.

Value & Sustainability

Estimated Market Value: 3.00 to 6.00 USD per board foot for domestic utility hardwood.
Wood Age Estimate: Recently milled or freshly cut rough-sawn lumber, showing no significant long-term aging or patina yet.
Sustainability Status: Not listed on CITES or IUCN red list; widely available from domestic sources, though affected historically by Dutch elm disease.

Common Uses

Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boxes, baskets, and specialty bentwood items due to its excellent steam-bending properties.

Geographic Origin

Eastern and central North America

Workability

Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though interlocking grain can sometimes cause tearout during planing. Glues, stains, and finishes well.