Dead standing Elm...Update:{)

Elm is great to burn. It will still need to dry for a year once split I suspect.

The problem with most standing dead is that the outside is usually wet from rain and the inside is wet from the sap. There is no way for the sap moisture to escape until it is split. Once a standing dead starts getting dry inside, it usually falls and it's getting even more dampness sitting on the ground. The only reason I leave dead trees standing (I have at least 20) is that I have so many trees that are fallen that take priority.
Not to worry, it should make great firewood next winter. Only your MM will know for sure. Yo may get some of the top branches dry enough this winter.

Elm turns a very indiscernable shade of pale yellow when it starts to turn. It splits easier and dries quicker but it also burns faster. The decomposition is random thruout. I dont think you can see it from end grain, and its not like spalting or anything.
You cant tell till you get into it. Like an autopsy. I like Elm, its just that it grows with poison ivy. One fell across a path in the woods(a massive poison ivy vine had finally pulled it down) and I cut that thing up like it was nuclear waste. The rounds are sitting by the side of the woods.
As far as telling whether its good or not, trying it in your stove is the best way to tell if it will or wont burn. The moisture meter is fun and all that but...

It is good wood. He is right about using a splitter. I wouldn't touch it without a splitter.

DougA said:

Elm is great to burn. It will still need to dry for a year once split I suspect.

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I disagree. I've cut/split a bunch of dead standing American elm and my experience has been this. If the bark is off and it's standing dead, it's most likely dry as a bone. If it's dead and laying on the ground, it absorbs water like crazy.

Just finished processing 6 dead standing elm today
They have been dead for 2 tears ( no leaves )
Only way to split is with a hydro . You can do it with a mall
if you like really hard work . Like I said 2 years dead
MM reads 44 to 50 percent on all splits so not for this year .
Dries really fast should be ready next year

I've cut a fair amount of dead standing elm and burned it the same year. I think in reading the other responses your results will vary.
It does burn OK and coals nicely.

Beer Belly said:

Tree guy never showed, had the cars parked on the lawn all weekend to keep the dump zone clear. Wife tells me to give him a call and see what happened, but I don't want to seem like I'm harassing him....he knows my situation, knows I'm looking for stuff that is quick seasoning, knows the address (been here twice before), and has both our numbers.

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Bummer. I would give a call anyways just to check.

Elm that dies from Dutch Elm Disease should be dry if it's been standing long enough for the bark to peel away.

Dutch Elm Disease kills the tree by triggering its immune response, which causes it to plug up the pores that feed moisture to the upper part of the tree. When the tree dies, it continues to lose moisture but cannot wick anything up from the ground. So it will dry to the same levels as firewood that has been C/S/S. Just takes a little longer (which is why waiting until the bark peels off leaves you a good indication of when it is dry).

It will also stand dead longer than most trees, because the grain structure in the wood is such that it holds up well to wind loads and so on. Same reason why splitting it sucks so bad.

Your best best is to find a standing dead elm, with no bark, that requires little to no splitting to fit into your stove (just bucking it up). If you can find that, it's the easiest and fastest firewood you'll ever find.

Beer Belly said:

Just ran into another guy.....got a small truck load of Black Birch.....not gonna be able to burn this year, but come some testing in January, I may be out of the C/S/S game for a while, if not the rest of my years (poosible Lung Cancer), so I'll take what I can, and try to get ahead as far as I can just in case. Gave him my info, he said "I know a guy that does land clearing, and most the time needs to get rid of wood.....30 yard dumpster full, can you handle it".....dunno....we'll see where we go from here

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sorry to hear that brother. stay positive

I've experienced both types of Elm. The impossible to split by with an axe and the stuff that splits pretty easy. I just processed over a cord of elm that was impossible with an axe. I had a go with a 6 inch round just to see if that was possible, it was... but wasn't worth the effort. The other elm I cut down last year. It was dead standing. Not sure how long for but most of the bark was off. I split it all by hand and it was as easy as any other maple/ash/beech/birch I've split. Not sure if it was a different variety of elm or just that it was dead standing for long enough. Some is easy some is only possibly with a splitter. Burns well. Unless I was really far ahead I would not turn it down.

Beer Belly said:

Just ran into another guy.....got a small truck load of Black Birch.....not gonna be able to burn this year, but come some testing in January, I may be out of the C/S/S game for a while, if not the rest of my years (poosible Lung Cancer), so I'll take what I can, and try to get ahead as far as I can just in case. Gave him my info, he said "I know a guy that does land clearing, and most the time needs to get rid of wood.....30 yard dumpster full, can you handle it".....dunno....we'll see where we go from here

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Hoping for the best for you. Modern medicine has come a long way, good luck.

I wish you the best of luck. Get yourself taken care of. Don't put it off. Please let me know if you need anything. I talked to you awhile back , I'm not far in Danbury.

Thinking of you BB.

That sucks dude. Reach out if you need anything.

Heart goes out to you BB. As already said, stay positive.

Beer Belly said:

Thanks guys....I'll be fine...gonna take a lot to knock me down....just hate seeing the look on the Wifes face when we go to the Doc, I'm pretty much all she has...she is my priority. If need be, it's good to know I have a place to vent.

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Most of us come to hearth.com with questions about wood burning . . . the folks that stay learn that it is far more than just wood burning . . . there is a lot of support here for friends whom we may never meet in person. Keep your chin up BB.