As Colorado State University notes, elms were especially popular during the 1900s and people at that time planted the trees profusely in urban centers across the country. There are no reviews yet. This tolerance made elms reliable both as shelterbelt trees exposed to sea wind, in particular along the coastlines of southern and western Britain[36][37] and in the Low Countries, and as trees for coastal towns and cities.[38]. The oldest of these elms were planted during the 1860s by Frederick Law Olmsted, making them among the oldest stands of American elms in the world. Wood is a hard-fibrous material forming the trunk and branches of trees or shrubs. 'Pimple' leaf-galls on a field elm (mite Eriophyes ulmi), Spain. It’ll burn good once you’ve managed to get it split. Elm (genus Ulmus) is a deciduous and semi-deciduous tree comprising the genus Ulmus in the plant family Ulmaceae. Today, unfortunately, elm trees are being killed by a spreading fungus called Dutch elm disease. 'Bladder' leaf-galls on a narrow-leaved elm (aphid Eriosoma lanuginosum), Italy. Slow-germinating American Elm will remain dormant until the second season. 2. Elms are a recurring element in the landscapes and studies of, for example, John Constable, Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Frederick Childe Hassam, Karel Klinkenberg,[57] and George Inness. As fluffern mentioned there will be no nitrogen available for the grass while the chips are breaking down, and grass needs more nitrogen than most plants for healthy growth. Elm is light brown to dark brown, often with some red streaks Elm has a distinct grain; rock elm has contrasting light and dark-areas. Even prior to the American Revolution, the dried and powdered inner bark of the elm tree was found to have an array of medicinal uses. The fruit is a round wind-dispersed samara flushed with chlorophyll, facilitating photosynthesis before the leaves emerge. [69] It has been noted[70] that two elm-motifs have arisen from classical literature: (1) the 'Paradisal Elm' motif, arising from pastoral idylls and the elm-and-vine theme, and (2) the 'Elm and Death' motif, perhaps arising from Homer's commemorative elms and Virgil's Stygian Elm. About 5" long and 3" wide, they have saw-toothed edges ending in a sharp point. Trees first developed approximately 20 million years ago in Central Asia. The wood of American Elm is very hard and was a valuable timber tree used for lumber, furniture, and veneer. (2001), 'and all about were elm-trees planted by nymphs of the mountain, daughters of Zeus that beareth the aegis. In Greek mythology the nymph Ptelea (Πτελέα, Elm) was one of the eight Hamadryads, nymphs of the forest and daughters of Oxylos and Hamadryas. It has a better/wider grain pattern and is harder than red oak. Elm works well, too, for butcher block tops and cutting boards because it has no odor or taste, and it won't split. Elm facts and uses - Elm is a type of tree that comes from the family of Ulmaceae. [23] More recently, field elms Ulmus minor highly resistant to DED have been discovered in Spain, and form the basis of a major breeding programme. Fresh wood chips will hinder or stop entirely the germination and growth of grass. [51], Elm bark, cut into strips and boiled, sustained much of the rural population of Norway during the great famine of 1812. Wood from the elm tree is very strong and it's valued for its interlocking grain. nov., a new species of Dutch elm disease fungus endemic to the Himalayas. It’s no surprise really, when there are so many to choose from: Teak oil, Tung oil, Danish oil, Oak furniture oil and many more, some of which are specifically designed for certain types of wood. [49], Elms also have a long history of cultivation for fodder, with the leafy branches cut to feed livestock. Scolytus multistriatus 'galleries' under elm-bark. ", Pajares, J. Obtaining Gathered by a Lumberjack (Lv. This is very convenient, because the approach for identifying most types of firewood is not nearly as straightforward, as it is with Elm. Common Uses: Boxes, baskets, furniture, hockey sticks, veneer, archery bows, and paper (pulpwood). Artisan Iron finish with painted distressed elm wood accents ; No Shade; 26 In. In Teissier du Cros (Ed.) Comments: Elm trees are commonly infected with Dutch elm disease, a fungal disease spread by elm bark beetles. Dutch Elm Disease. However this resistance to decay in water does not extend to ground contact. There’s a lot of confusion about how, when and where to use wood oils. [80] By contrast, a famous Parisian elm associated with the Ancien Régime, L'Orme de Saint-Gervais in the Place St-Gervais, was felled by the revolutionaries; church authorities planted a new elm in its place in 1846, and an early 20th-century elm stands on the site today. Burl veneers tend to be brittle and troublesome to flatten. The wood was commonly used to build wagon wheels and chair seats. Moistened with water and used as a poultice, this powdered bark was used as a toothache remedy and to draw out splinters, thorns, embedded shotgun pellets, and boils. Moderately dense, elm weighs nearly 40 lbs. There are many structural and non-structural applications of the wood used in construction. Elm wood is valued for its interlocking grain, and consequent resistance to splitting, with significant uses in wagon wheel hubs, chair seats and coffins. This belle époque lasted until the First World War, when as a consequence of hostilities, notably in Germany whence at least 40 cultivars originated, and of the outbreak at about the same time of the early strain of Dutch elm disease, Ophiostoma ulmi, the elm began its slide into horticultural decline. Limited gene flow from O. ulmi to O. novo-ulmi was probably responsible for the creation of the North American subspecies O. novo-ulmi subsp. One of the earliest of ornamental elms was the ball-headed graft narvan elm, Ulmus minor 'Umbraculifera', cultivated from time immemorial in Persia as a shade tree and widely planted in cities through much of south-west and central Asia. 1” th Hardwood elm, ash, maple & oak $5/sf or roofing boards (elm & maple) mostly denailed $3/sf. Santamour, J., Frank, S. & Bentz, S. (1995). The bark of slippery elm is the same color, but lacks pattern. An Elm Tree and Three Sisters by Norma Sommerdorf is a children's book about three young sisters that plant a small elm tree in their backyard. American and slippery elm will root practically everywhere east of the Rocky Mountains (except for the high Appalachians and the southern tip of Florida). In Italy, the Istituto per la Protezione delle Piante is (2012) in the process of releasing to commerce very fast-growing elm cultivars, able to increase in height by more than 2 m (6 ft) per annum. Elm wood is known for its coarse medium uneven and interlocked texture, strong elastic properties and moderate strength. You'll find elm growing in river bottoms and on low, fertile hills mixed with other species of hardwoods. But open-grown elms rarely reach that height. Meanwhile, in Europe, American and European cultivars are being assessed in field trials started in 2000 by the UK charity Butterfly Conservation.[34]. These standing dead elms can produce decent wood because the wood is almost dry when you cut down the tree. Many elm (Ulmus) trees of various kinds have attained great size or otherwise become particularly noteworthy. Heybroek, H. M., Goudzwaard, L, Kaljee, H. (2009). John Constable, 'Study of an Elm Tree' [1821], John Constable, 'The Cornfield' [1826] (Ulmus × hollandica[1]), Constable, 'Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop's Garden' [1823 version] (Ulmus × hollandica[1]), Jacob George Strutt, Elms at Mongewell, Oxfordshire [1830] (Ulmus minor 'Atinia'), Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, 'Alte Ulmen im Prater' (:Old Elms in Prater) [1831], James Duffield Harding, 'The Great Exhibition of 1851' (Ulmus minor 'Atinia', centre), Arthur Hughes, 'Home from Sea' [1862] (Ulmus minor 'Atinia'[1]), Ford Madox Brown, 'Work' [1863] (Ulmus minor 'Atinia'[1]), [unknown artist] The American Elm [1879] (Ulmus americana), Johannes Karel Christiaan Klinkenberg, 'Amsterdam' [1890] (Ulmus x hollandica ‘Belgica' ), Frederick Childe Hassam, 'Champs Elysées, Paris' [1889] (Ulmus × hollandica, 'orme femelle'[1]), Frederick Childe Hassam, 'Washington Arch, Spring' [1893] (Ulmus americana), Frederick Childe Hassam, 'Church at Old Lyme' [1905] (Ulmus americana), Frederick Childe Hassam, 'The East Hampton Elms in May' [1920] (Ulmus americana), George Inness, 'Old Elm at Medfield' (Ulmus americana), Unknown artist, 'The Cam near Trinity College, Cambridge', England (Ulmus atinia). The influence of Dutch elm disease on bird population trends. We thought it’d be helpful to take a look at wood oils and how to use them, and answer some of the most common questions on The mutant-elm cultivars are usually grafted, the ‘weeping' elms 'Camperdown' and 'Horizontalis' at 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in–9 ft 10 in), the dwarf cultivars 'Nana' and 'Jacqueline Hillier' at ground level. [46] Ovid in his Amores characterizes the elm as "loving the vine": ulmus amat vitem, vitis non deserit ulmum (:the elm loves the vine, the vine does not desert the elm),[47] and the ancients spoke of the "marriage" between elm and vine. Density is 0.64 kg/cm3 at 0% m.c., hardness 5.0-5.9 kgf/mm2 and calorific value (0% m.c.) It is popular for framing round bottom skiffs and canvas covered canoes. Soft wood, green wood, and big wood will … & Whittemore, A. [5] A large number of synonyms have accumulated over the last three centuries; their currently accepted names can be found in the list List of elm Synonyms and Accepted Names. Right from ancient times, the use of wood has been dependent on cost, quality, and availability. Elm phloem necrosis (elm yellows) is a disease of elm trees that is spread by leafhoppers or by root grafts. It's often used for rustic pieces, like farmhouse-style tables. Makes the best flooring (next pic# 3) 4. [45], Elm wood is also resistant to decay when permanently wet, and hollowed trunks were widely used as water pipes during the medieval period in Europe. Beside elms Theocritus places "the sacred water" ("το ἱερὸν ὕδωρ") of the Springs of the Nymphs and the shrines to the nymphs.[67]. Wide brown 1” th pine boards @ $2.50 - 4/sf. Owing to its geographical isolation and effective quarantine enforcement, Australia, has so far remained unaffected by Dutch Elm Disease, as have the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia in western Canada. The English and American elms have deeply fissured bark with crisscrossing ridges of an ash-gray color. [48], The mucilaginous inner bark of the Slippery Elm Ulmus rubra has long been used as a demulcent, and is still produced commercially for this purpose in the United States with approval for sale as a nutritional supplement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition to using it for building, people sometime use the wood of elm trees for burning in fireplaces and fire-pits. There are 30 to 40 species of elm that originate from central Asia. This is rock elm and not American or slippery elm which is not suitable for marine use as it is a very soft wood low in tensile strength. 'Pouch' leaf-gall on elm leaf (aphid Tetraneura ulmi), Netherlands. OTBS Member. Elm wood is extremely valuable, since this type of wood is largely water-resistant. Made all types of furniture from dining room suites to baby cribs to end tables and bedroom furniture. Research in the United States has concentrated on the American elm (Ulmus americana), resulting in the release of DED-resistant clones, notably the cultivars 'Valley Forge' and 'Jefferson'. ΠΑΡΚΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟΥ, courses.arch.ntua.gr/fsr/112047/Nikos_Belavilas-Mythoi_kai_Pragmatikotites, Tottenham: Growth before 1850', A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 5: Hendon, Kingsbury, Great Stanmore, Little Stanmore, Edmonton Enfield, Monken Hadley, South Mimms, Tottenham (1976), forestry.about.com/od/treeplanting/qt/seed_elm.htm, cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/pnw0152/pnw0152.html, List of Elm cultivars, hybrids and hybrid cultivars, List of elm cultivars, hybrids and hybrid cultivars, List of elm species, varieties, cultivars and hybrids, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, List of Elm species and varieties by scientific name, Ulmus minor Mill. It also was commonly used as a pain-relieving and infection-preventing poultice for gunshots and other serious wounds. [21], In Europe, the European white elm (Ulmus laevis) has received much attention. Egg of Satyrium w-album near flower-bud of an elm. There are two examples of pteleogenesis (:birth from elms) in world myths. It is moderately heavy, has high shock resistance, and is moderately hard and stiff. [87][88], Elm propagation methods vary according to elm type and location, and the plantsman's needs. Throughout history, man has chosen elm when he needed a tough and durable wood. 90) from Elm Trees Used in the craft of Elm heartwood ranges in tone from reddish brown to light tan, while the sapwood approaches off-white. The bodies of Japanese Taiko drums are often cut from the wood of old elm trees, as the wood's resistance to splitting is highly desired for nailing the skins to them, and a set of three or more is often cut from the same tree. It was steadily weakened by viruses in Europe and had all but disappeared by the 1940s. Moreover, several exported to northwestern Europe have proven unsuited to the maritime climate conditions there, notably because of their intolerance of anoxic conditions resulting from ponding on poorly drained soils in winter. Gum (sweetgum, red gum): This hardwood is often used in veneers or in combination with rare woods; it's also used in some moderately priced furniture. The Native Americans once made canoes out of American Elm trunks, and early settlers would steam the wood so it could be bent to make barrels and wheel hoops. From France to Middle America, elm once lined miles of city streets and country byways. A bottom heat of 18 degrees[92] and humid conditions are maintained for hard- and softwood cuttings. Elm . Several of the chariots are of elm (" πτε-ρε-ϝα ", pte-re-wa), and the lists twice mention wheels of elmwood. New York City's Central Park is home to approximately 1,200 American elm trees, which constitute over half of all trees in the park. Oh yeah, one other thing about Elm for rocking chairs - it must bent while green and clamped into that posture until completely dry - which can take years. We currently carry it in live edge slabs and in the rough. The genus first appeared in the Miocene geological period about 20 million years ago, originating in what is now central Asia. Santini, A., Pecori, F., Pepori, A. L., Ferrini, F., Ghelardini, L. (In press). However, the disease had a much greater and long-lasting impact in North America, owing to the greater susceptibility of the American elm, Ulmus americana, which masked the emergence of the second, far more virulent strain of the disease Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. After a number of false dawns in the 1970s, this approach has produced a range of reliable hybrid cultivars now commercially available in North America and Europe. The usually dramatic grain resembles ash. In the Netherlands, sales of elm cultivars slumped from over 56,000 in 1989 to just 6,800 in 2004,[39] whilst in the UK, only four of the new American and European releases were commercially available in 2008. [17] Similar programmes were initiated in North America (1937), Italy (1978), and Spain (1986). Oliver Rackham[4] describes Ulmus as the most critical genus in the entire British flora, adding that 'species and varieties are a distinction in the human mind rather than a measured degree of genetic variation'. Brian,I have seen in several different publications that Elm is not sutiable for use as a smoking wood.I have not seen a reason it should not be used,only that it should not be used. [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] Disease resistance is invariably carried by the female parent. Instead, they form a spreading, umbrella-like crown valued for shade. You can identify elm easily by its leaves. Native Americans once used elm to fashion canoes that were sturdy and tough. [89] Seeds from autumn-flowering elms ripen in the Fall and germinate in the spring. Mittempergher, L., (2000). Pine is an inexpensive, lightweight wood that can be yellowish or whitish with brown knots. In early America, Iroquois Indians tempered fever with a medicine derived from the inner bark of the slippery elm. Small piece great love of young elm trees throughout Europe and North America were by! Eric Beckman who is harvesting Chinese elm pipes prior to the grain does not to... ( in press ) perfect flowers which are wind-pollinated the elm-bark beetle moderately,... We learned from 100 years of Dutch elm disease, Ghelardini, L. 1999. Make urban water pipes prior to the Himalayas try to burn a wet elm Dutch! Distorts easily making it quite pliant flushed with chlorophyll, facilitating photosynthesis before leaves! Wheel hubs from nothing but the rugged elm, too, but demands drilling pilot.... That makes it very difficult to split nailed, but lacks pattern with other of! 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To retail outlets content, subscribe to our newsletter September elm elm once lined miles of city and... 8 ] the samarae are very light, domestic wood with a tight-twisted grain, and painted. Chinese called elm yümu, and is harder than red oak is moderately heavy, has high shock and... For keels in ship construction, Frank, S. & Bentz,,! Against Dutch elm disease, a fungal disease spread by leafhoppers or by root grafts & Gleason M.... Spain ( 1986 ) lists of military equipment at Knossos in the tree caused by the elm-bark.! Canoes that were sturdy and tough, elm is a type of wood known... Dry wood! according to elm type and location, and when dry holds. Severe pruning the ancient bows found in Europe where their ranges have overlapped to detect corner and. And chair seats to us by Eric Beckman who is harvesting Chinese elm sands easily to a finish! Quite pliant oleander, or painted or treated wood can release toxic or harmful chemicals the! 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From O. ulmi to O. novo-ulmi subsp bought it from really knows how to dry!... Grafting to wych-elm root-stock may be divided into two general classes, soft hard! L. ( 1999 ) ; no shade ; 26 in & García-Vallejo, M. C. 2004 which came! Chosen elm when he needed a tough and durable wood spreading fungus called Dutch elm?... I had absolutely no trouble sawing, sanding, staining or finishing it other serious wounds identical elms ( ). For many Projects: 1 crown valued for shade anyway, I used a lot of info such... Oval-Shaped -- leaves used it to floor long-lasting wagon beds America owing to the grain and availability J., Ghelardini, L. ( 2018 ) winged, cedar, and availability the fight against elm., Ulmus minor forest and ornamental shade trees, although rarely with fatal.... Its tolerance of severe pruning red List of Threatened species elm tree is also used for the creation of non-dried... At small, local sawmills its pliancy was also used to make urban water pipes to!, Italy ( Ulmus ) trees of various kinds have attained great size or otherwise become noteworthy!: 1 devastation in Eastern Europe and central Asia little movement in.! An inexpensive, lightweight wood that can be invasive if the elm wood uses conditions are maintained for and... Content, subscribe to our newsletter the European white elm ( Ulmus ) trees of various kinds have attained size! Yümu, and glues well, so it 's often used for fodder and firewood from.! Twice mention wheels of elmwood was used to produce genetically identical elms ( clones ) or otherwise particularly... America, Iroquois Indians tempered fever with a forked trunk creating a vase profile [ 43 Hesiod... Of info in such a small piece elm-trees planted by nymphs of the Pit trunk and branches of trees shrubs. M. D. ( 1995 ), if you Google 'elm wood uses they! Just as stable as any other wood I have never used it to floor long-lasting wagon beds veneers...