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Ulmus crassifolia
THE TIMBER:
Red elm (cedar elm) wood is reddish-brown with wide, colorful
yellow sapwood. It is hard, heavy, close grained, very strong and has exceptional
shock resistance. It is denser and heavier than American elm or slippery
elm. Cedar elm has an unusual cross-section close to the center that may
be triangular, almost square or deeply and irregularly
scalloped. The growth rings are indistinct.
WORKABILITY:
Unlike the less dense species of Ulmus, red elm is much more
difficult to work. It requires more patience when working with hand tools
and constant vigilance as to grain flow when working with machine tools,
especially when planing to prevent tearout. It glues, well, sands and finishes
to a high luster nd retains crisp edges. Red elm is good for turnery.
USES:
Red elm is an outstanding wood for steam bending and is used
in the manufacture of furniture with ben components. Other
uses include barrels, baskets, boxes and crates and caskets.
It appears to have much
potential for craft items and turnery. |
