Wych Elm

Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)

Common Name(s): Wych Elm, Scots Elm

Scientific Name: Ulmus glabra

Distribution: Europe

Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 40 lbs/ft³ (640 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .49

Hardness: 990 lb_f (4,400 N)

Rupture Strength: 14,240 lb_f/in² (98,230 kPa)

Elastic Strength: 1,615,000 lb_f/in² (11,140 MPa)

Crushing Strength: 6,710 lb_f/in² (46.3 MPa)

Shrinkage: No data available (Most likely very similar to other species in the Ulmus genus)

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. Sapwood is a pale white or cream color.

Grain/Pore: Has a medium texture and moderate-sized pores. Grain is sometimes straight, but commonly interlocked.

Endgrain: Ring-porous; medium to large earlywood pores in a continuous row one or two pores wide, small latewood pores in wavy bands; tyloses occasionally present in earlywood; growth rings distinct; rays not visible without lens; parenchyma vasicentric and confluent.

Durability: Rated as moderately durable to non-durable in regard to heartwood decay, but is susceptible to insect attack, and living trees are very commonly destroyed by Dutch elm disease.

Workability: Can be a challenge to work because of interlocked grain, especially on quartersawn surfaces. Planing can cause tearout and/or fuzzy surfaces. Glues, stains, and finishes well.

Scent: Elm usually has a strong, unpleasant smell when green; though once dried has very little odor.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Elm in the Ulmus genus has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: Should be moderately priced within its natural habitat in Europe, though availability from mature trees has been greatly diminished by Dutch elm disease.

Comments: Elm trees are commonly infected with Dutch elm disease, a fungal disease spread by elm bark beetles. D.E.D. has wiped out millions of Elm trees worldwide.

Common uses for elm include: boxes, baskets, furniture, hockey sticks, veneer, wood pulp, and papermaking.

Related Species:

American Elm (Ulmus americana)

Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)

Dutch Elm (Ulmus x hollandica)

English Elm (Ulmus procera)

Red Elm (Ulmus rubra)

Rock Elm (Ulmus thomasii)

Winged Elm (Ulmus alata)

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