American Elm

TimW · October 05, 2021, 05:18:39 PM

Is American Elm any good to saw for inside house trim? I have a 6 foot log I cut for grins, into 1 inch boards. It moved alot. Different boards different directions. Should I strap it down to dry or burn it?
hugs, Brandi

Patrick NC · October 05, 2021, 05:30:25 PM

I sawed a couple of elm logs into 4x4s to stack lumber on. It bowed and twisted so much that I threw it on the burn pile.

TimW · October 05, 2021, 06:30:58 PM

Quote from: Patrick NC on October 05, 2021, 05:30:25 PM
I sawed a couple of elm logs into 4x4s to stack lumber on. It bowed and twisted so much that I threw it on the burn pile.

Yep, that is what I am thinking.
hugs, Brandi

Brad_bb · October 05, 2021, 10:30:41 PM

I've cut red elm(slippery elm) with good results. I did cut one small elm that was light in color as opposed to the darker red elm. Seemed good.

Only you can determine if it's too warped to mess with. At the very least, could you cut them shorter so that they could be jointed and flattened? Maybe cut it thicker next time, air dry it and then plane it thinner if needed?

Southside · October 05, 2021, 10:42:01 PM

Elm, Sycamore, Gum, Hickory, all twisted grain species. You know what flat sawn lumber will do, quarter sawn it will behave a lot better for future reference and in the case of Sycamore produces amazing results.

TimW · October 05, 2021, 11:03:56 PM

Quote from: Southside on October 05, 2021, 10:42:01 PM
Elm, Sycamore, Gum, Hickory, all twisted grain species. You know what flat sawn lumber will do, quarter sawn it will behave a lot better for future reference and in the case of Sycamore produces amazing results.

It was too small a log to quarter saw........and it had a bow in it.
hugs, Brandi

TimW · October 05, 2021, 11:05:31 PM

Quote from: Brad_bb on October 05, 2021, 10:30:41 PM
I've cut red elm(slippery elm) with good results. I did cut one small elm that was light in color as opposed to the darker red elm. Seemed good.

Only you can determine if it's too warped to mess with. At the very least, could you cut them shorter so that they could be jointed and flattened? Maybe cut it thicker next time, air dry it and then plane it thinner if needed?

I cut them thick. Warped, twisted window trim could be a hoot. Will have to wait to find out if the smell dissipates. It really is strong, but doesn't seem to bother me.
hugs, Brandi

Patrick NC · October 06, 2021, 12:24:28 AM

Quote from: Bindian on October 05, 2021, 11:03:56 PM
Quote from: Southside on October 05, 2021, 10:42:01 PM
Elm, Sycamore, Gum, Hickory, all twisted grain species. You know what flat sawn lumber will do, quarter sawn it will behave a lot better for future reference and in the case of Sycamore produces amazing results.
It was too small a log to quarter saw........and it had a bow in it.
hugs, Brandi

The ones I cut were about 14" and some twisted so much that when I put one end flat on the ground the other was about a quarter turn off. If I ever get a big one I'll try quarter sawn.

doc henderson · October 06, 2021, 04:17:17 AM

it is an amazing looking finished wood. I have had better luck cutting dry logs. it is great for rustic slabs.

moodnacreek · October 06, 2021, 08:37:40 AM

Elm is the most beautiful American hardwood when it is planed and sanded to a polish. Drying it will separate the men from the boys. Sticks; wide and extended on the ends and 12" o.c. between. Tons of weight. Then it needs a kiln or a winter in heated building. It is much worse than hickory and powder post beetles love both.

WDH · October 06, 2021, 08:44:22 AM

Beautiful but very difficult to deal with......

doc henderson · October 06, 2021, 09:03:44 AM

boonesyard · October 06, 2021, 09:21:51 AM

As everyone has said here, elm is very challenging to deal with. We've had the best luck with larger trees that are free of bark and have been standing dead for a number of years. It'll still move a bit when drying, but a lot of weight helps that. It works well for shorter projects to cut and and plane the twist out of it, but the squeeze is worth the juice on this stuff, it is a beautiful wood.

Some live edge shelving, knots and cracks epoxied, natural poly finish, beautiful brown color.

Elm stair treads, very durable

Larry · October 06, 2021, 10:36:12 AM

A friend made this table. He told me elm is one of the most popular (and expensive) tables. Hard to find big ones.

I turned elm bowls a couple of months ago and they have their own unique beauty.

Of course you could always use it for wagon hubs. Years ago I turned some hubs for a cultipacker to pull behind a grain drill. Went hundreds of acres, probably still going.

TimW · October 06, 2021, 02:47:03 PM

Here is what I got.............

Reminds me of cedar. But it didn't have that shaggy bark like Cedar Elm. Cuts easy also. But it was just cut down last week.
hugs, Brandi

D6c · October 06, 2021, 09:12:39 PM

I have a stack of Chinese elm (Siberian elm?) that I sawed several years ago. Have one pair of book matched slabs.
I need to get it finish dried and see if it behaves.

taylorsmissbeehaven · October 07, 2021, 07:20:21 AM

Brandi,
Your thread gave me the kick in the seat I needed to saw this Elm I got from my Dads house. Its been on the mill for over a week waiting for me to run out of excuses!! I sawed it after work yesterday and will see what happens as it dries. Thanks for the inspiration, Brian

TimW · October 07, 2021, 11:22:29 AM

Quote from: taylorsmissbeehaven on October 07, 2021, 07:20:21 AM
Brandi,
Your thread gave me the kick in the seat I needed to saw this Elm I got from my Dads house. Its been on the mill for over a week waiting for me to run out of excuses!! I sawed it after work yesterday and will see what happens as it dries. Thanks for the inspiration, Brian

Brian,
Glad to have helped. That is the same bark I cut into. After seeing your's cut, I wish I would have save some pieces with branches.
hugs, Brandi

LeeB · October 07, 2021, 12:37:46 PM

Brandi,
I don't know if you have Cedar Elm around your area but it seamed to me to behave a little better than American Elm. I milled a good bit of it when I still lived around Austin.

Stephen1 · October 07, 2021, 01:44:04 PM

I really like elm for the colour and grain. I have 2 30" x8' logs waiting for me to mill. hopefully before winter comes.

TimW · October 07, 2021, 11:15:22 PM

Quote from: LeeB on October 07, 2021, 12:37:46 PM
Brandi,
I don't know if you have Cedar Elm around your area but it seamed to me to behave a little better than American Elm. I milled a good bit of it when I still lived around Austin.

Yep, we got Cedar Elm here.
hugs, Brandi

Walnut Beast · April 21, 2022, 02:21:57 AM

Has anyone used it for framing lumber

WDH · April 21, 2022, 07:02:11 AM

That would be brave and would require an optimist.

PoginyHill · April 21, 2022, 07:11:41 AM

My father has told me that elm was often used for barn floors as it never became slippery - the grain stayed rough as it pulled out with wear. Safer for the animals and people.