Such a grain pattern makes the wood very resistant to splitting, so one has to use power tools only while dealing with elm wood. It is a fast grower with good Dutch elm disease resistance. But we think it should be listed here so that you can be more careful in using it. But although they are soft in nature, they are still strong and tough like most hardwood woods. Maybe making elm furniture isnt a great idea. Since the disease first began mowing down American elms in the 1930s, scientists and breeders have been developing alternatives. If you're looking for a tree that can handle city life, zelkova trees are your best bet. However, it seems that elm can be used for certain low-quality papers or just as an alternative. Avoid letting the soil become fully dry for a long period of time. Most woods that I know of are commonly used for veneers, as well as elm wood. It is mainly because of its interlocked grain patterns. If only one tree were chosen to visually represent the "classic" tree shape, it might be the American elm tree (Ulmus americana). We tend to use American Elm data because it doesnt seem much different from other elms. Some trees are just bad for backyards, and can cause potential health hazards, to not only your yard, but your house and family members as well. It can grow up to two feet per year once it reaches maturity. Add in the fact that the roots go everywhere in search of water (particularly problematic near septic systems and sewer pipes), and you can see why this one needs to stay by the water and away from your yard. The joints of these trees are more robust due to their considerably thin boughs, so they are hearty in many types of weather. best way to stop invasive plants from taking over your garden. Tolerant of urban conditions and useful as a street, parkway, or specimen shade tree. Elm wood is usually moderately priced. Its botanical name is Celtis occidentalis, and it is a relative of elm trees but with larger leaves. Use along streets and in large yards. Hence, to prevent other trees from a bad neighborhood, avoid planting a black walnut tree in your yard. However, due to this characteristic, the cottonwood tends to rot very easily and quickly. Furthermore, they look like elms and can be used to replace those lost in the epidemic of Dutch elm disease that devastated many American cities during the 20th century. They come from elm trees that are a type of deciduous tree. Non-durable: Although elm wood is a commonly used wood, it has a major disadvantage. That makes them take stains very easily and any dyes with fine definition. On the other hand, beech wood is also hardwood but has a Janka hardness rating of 1300. This doesnt seem like a serious problem. If youre looking for a tree that can handle city life, zelkova trees are your best bet. That is, it is non-durable. Sometimes a loss of leaves is an indicator of a problem. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Here are 10 elm tree species you should know about. Moderately priced: Elm prices are in the moderate range. This tree, which is native to eastern North America, grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, which means it ranges from Nova Scotia west to Alberta in Canada and Montana and south to Florida and central Texas in the United States. A little too tough, meaning you cant kill it. The Morton Arboretum in Illinois has engaged in research to develop hybrids that are more resistant to the disease. If youre thinking about planting lacebark elm, growing this versatile tree is easy in well-drained soil although it tolerates nearly any type of soil, including clay. Therefore, they are popularly used for making furniture. Elm wood is hardwood that comes from elm trees which are a type of deciduous and semi-deciduous trees. This is a fast grower that can reach 60 feet high and 50 feet wide. 3. They can take any type of stain or dye and provide a clean touch. The distribution of this wood is Eastern to the Midwest United States. Elm wood is a hardwood that is extracted from elm trees that are classified as deciduous trees. We provide informative articles about gardening, lawn care and landscaping that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! In fact, elm wood is classified under the soft hardwood category with a Janka rating of 830. Furthermore, the American elm has a shallow root system, which invades sewage pipelines and foundations. Chinese elm tree Cons. But to understand them in a general sense, there are two basic divisions. Theyre also drought-tolerant and adaptable, so they can handle the heat of summer and cold winters. However, it seems that this has not increased the price of elm wood. Manage Settings Working elm may not be easy because some artistry challenges can occur. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Elm wood is a very strong and durable type of wood, which makes it an excellent choice for furniture and other household items. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. that devastated many American cities during the 20th century. 3. Because the tree is only 35-50 feet tall, the distribution of winged elm is Southern and south-central the United States. The arboretum points out that planting a variety of trees throughout a neighborhood or landscape is ideal, because if a disease wipes out all of one type, it can devastate the area. It grows at a slow to moderate pace and has pretty architecture, beautiful fall foliage and a lineage that dates to the time of the dinosaurs. As time goes on, better cultivars are developed, but some of the older ones may still be on the market. Some may be susceptible to elm bark beetle, elm leaf beetles, elm yellows, elm leaf miner and verticillium wilt. American pioneers used elm wood for wagon wheels.