American Elm?

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Bwhunter85

Feeling the Heat
Aug 21, 2010
259
Sunfield, MI
Did some cutting after work. Tore the bark off when I was bucking. No mess when I split! :)
Actually, I think it may be red elm. Splits easier than American I think. I've split both and can't get through the American with my maul. But this stuff splits a lot easier.
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Yeah, maybe Red Elm. Split pic?
 
I have red, American and Siberian elm all over here. I think it is hard to tell red and American apart. I understand the best way to identify is on live bark the red is more even and the American has white overlapping cross section or that American has more drooping branches - not much good to identify when it is already dead and cut up... The red is usually noticeably heavier and has some red under the bark. The red does split a little better. They're both good.

Siberian is more of a nuisance tree. Looks similar to what you have when wet with fresh bark off. Bark is usually rougher. Usually darker wood easier to split. Heavy when wet and lighter when dry. It burns ok, with a little more heat than soft maple.

What you have looks like red or siberian elm. Do you have any bark left?
 
It's not white elm. Looks like red and much better firewood too than American white.
 
I cant tell if its Red or American. BTU difference is marginal. Dont know how easy it was for you to get the bark off to judge if you will have seasoned wood by fall. Its the timeframe of how long it was dead. It doesnt look bug eaten. I would say good load of firewood. I also read on a DEC site that American Elm can sometimes, randomly, have straight grain and sometimes you will get lucky and have a tree that doesnt have that nasty interlocking grain. I know that doesnt help narrow it down.
 
Its hard to tell which it is and I would use bark inner bark and endgrain. But I look at microscopic details which I cant see in these pics. I found Red elm in my apple orchard and was alarmed at the size it had gotten before it was discovered. I was concerned it was Siberian and I have major issues with invasives that cost alot of money and time to get rid of.
 
Definately not american (white) elm. Red or siberian and I'd say more red than siberian. Great firewood, expecially when mother nature has done the seasoning for you. Looks like She's got a start on that but I'd let it dry a year yet after splitting.
 
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