NATIVE ELM: LIGHT PIP: D
This is mainly Wych type Elm with a wide sapband which should not be classed as a defect but incorporated into furniture and joinery and treated accordingly.

Production: T/T, 1/SE, S/E, DIM.

Ulmus procera, Ulmus hollandica, Ulmus glabra
Family: Ulmaceae

Commercial names: English Elm, Wych Elm, Dutch Elm.

Distribution: U.K. and Europe.

General description: The heartwood colour is dull brown, with the annual rings distinct due to large early wood pores, giving a coarse texture to the wood. Tends to be of irregular growth and cross grained. Wych Elm tends to have a straight grain which may include a green streak. The English and Dutch Elm tend towards a more irregular growth with possible cross grain.
Average weight 550 kg/m3 (34 lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.55.Unusual characteristics: BURR/PIPPY ELM. This growth can be found in all types of Elm. It gives an overall effect of small “cats paws” which are formed by clusters of pin knots/burrs and irregular growth. Due to its popularity it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain boards totally covered in “pin knots/burrs” whereas boards with patches of pin knots are readily available. Selected logs are held in stock in the round for conversion to customers
requirements.

Mechanical properties: Medium density with low bending and crushing strengths, very low stiffness and resistance to shock loads. Has reasonable steam bending properties.

Seasoning: Drys fairly rapidly with a very great possibility of distortion and a liability for collapse to occur. Care should always be taken when putting into stick for drying with closely spaced sticks and heavily weighted. The distortion degrade can be reduced by re-conditioning when kiln drying. There is medium movement in service.

Working properties: Not an easy timber to work as it tends to bind on the saw and pick up in planing and moulding. There is a moderate blunting effect on tools which should be kept sharp. It accepts nails and screws without splitting; gluing is good and the material stains and polishes or waxes to a high finish.

Durability: The timber is non-durable and subject to insect attack; it is moderately resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable.

Uses: Cabinet work, chairs and settee frames, Windsor chairs, turnery, bentwood backs and domestic flooring. It is extensively used for coffin making, boat building, dock and harbour work and weatherboarding.

JBT Comments: The most disastrous setback to Native Hardwoods in recent years has undoubtedly been the arrival from North America of Dutch Elm Disease which attacked all the commonly known species of Elm. The majority of Elm initially affected grew in the southern part of our country, where the English and Dutch species were predominant. Our supplies of Elm now originate mainly from Scotland. Although Wych Elm predominates in this area, there is still English and Dutch Elm available. We do not guarantee which type of Elm will be supplied and are unable to sort for a type. Please note you may be supplied with all of one type or a mixture. Elm grown in the
north tends to have a wider sapwood. This sapwood is not classed as a defect and although like all sapwood is prone to insect attack, should be incorporated into furniture and joinery and treated accordingly. Due to Dutch Elm disease, furniture and joinery manufacturers have mistakenly believed that supplies of Elm are unavailable. We stress that good stocks are available and more consideration should be given to its use. Elm is now being re-planted in areas clear of the disease, sustaining this valuable species for the future.

Grade: First Quality, selected and produced to customers requirements. Lower grades are available to order.

Specification: Through and through and/or one square edge; 7ft and longer. 5ins and wider. Light coloured sapwood included as no defect.

Stockholding: 3,000 cubic feet in kiln dried and air dried stock: 3/4 ins to 5ins thickness. 1,000 cubic feet of round logs in plain and pippy/burr stock are available for sawing and kilning to customers requirements.