(Ulmus rubra)

Distribution: From Eastern US to the Midwest.

General Description: Red elm has a greyish white to light brown narrow sapwood, with heartwood that is reddish brown to dark brown in color. The grain can be straight, but is often interlocked. The wood has a coarse texture.

Working Properties: The wood of red elm is fairly easy to work, it nails, screws and glues well, and can be sanded, stained and polished to a good finish. It dries well with minimum degrade and little movement in performance.

Physical Properties: Elm is moderately heavy, hard and stiff with excellent bending and shock resistance. It is difficult to split because of its interlocked grain.

Durability: Rated as non-resistant to heartwood decay, and classed as permeable to preservatives.

Availability: USA - Limited in both lumber and veneer as supply is threatened by Dutch elm disease, but more available in the South. Export - Limited.

Main Uses: Furniture, cabinet making, flooring, internal joinery, panelling and coffins.