Nice sized tree. Uprooted and 80% off the ground. I could get around 1.5 -2.0 cords out of it. Read good things and bad about Elm. Worth it or not. I will let the majority rule.
Cut the Red Elm or let it go?
- Thread starter MICHAEL H
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I would cut it and burn it,I wouldn't split it by hand,I would use a splitter.Maybe cut it a little shorter than other wood just because it may be stringy
smokinj
Minister of Fire
The Beagler
Burning Hunk
I would burn it. Not bad wood at all. If you have access to a splitter, by all means use it. However, it may not be that bad for splitting. I usually burn some each year. Oddly, this fall/winter I won't be burning it. Majority of my finds were black locust, cherry & oak.
Sounds like it would be worth a days work. I do have a splitter. I had planned on using it as a shoulder wood for next year since my hardwood situation is set for the next two years.
The Beagler
Burning Hunk
I would burn it during the colder months. Puts out some good heat. It doesn't rank as high as locust, oak or hedge apple. However, I don't think you'll be disappointed with it.
Thistle
Minister of Fire
ecocavalier02
Minister of Fire
you hate yourself if you didnt have a splitter and tried to split it. bringing back bad memories of when i split about a half cord by hand felt like splitting 3 cords of regular wood. even with a splitter it can be tuff. ive seen then head on a hydraulic splitter bury all the way in and still had to yank it apart.MICHAEL H said:
smokinj
Minister of Fire
The Beagler
Burning Hunk
That is some nice looking wood Thistle! What do you make with red elm? Do you use it
For barn siding? Oh, by the way..I'm a newbie on this sight. Its nice seeing people that have
The same interest & passion about burning wood!
For barn siding? Oh, by the way..I'm a newbie on this sight. Its nice seeing people that have
The same interest & passion about burning wood!
Sorghum
Member
Yes use a hydraulic splitter! Let it dry some first, it might not play nice wet. Or maybe on a nice cold cold cold day.
One btu chart puts it up there or a little better than white ash. and that's not too shabby. From experience a good dry supply will get you through the heart of winter with smiles. Too wet will have you clenaing the chimney frequently.
Sorghum
Member
Sorghum said:
For clarification this is referring only to splitting. I was not suggesting to burn wet.
bogydave
Minister of Fire
BlankBlankBlank
Minister of Fire
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
MICHAEL H said:
Don't know anything about the burning characteristics of red elm, only having burned American elm here . . . but 1) nice sized tree, 2) uprooted and 3) could get 1.5-2 cords out of it = firewood.
If red elm is like American elm it will not be fun to split the wood without a hydraulic splitter, but wood is wood . . . and wood is heat . . . since it's right there, free, decent sized and no good as it is now and you could get a bunch of wood I would go for it.
1 1/2 -2 cords . . . real cords or face cords? If we're talking real cords that's one helluva big tree.
Sorghum said:
Just did 2 trees of elm and yeah the key is cold and a few weeks sitting time. Even then you will see water around where the split happens. If you do it when it is really green then you have string cheese.
Thistle
Minister of Fire
The Beagler said:
Never used it outside because not a lot is left thanks to Dutch Elm Disease,not easy to get it in larger sizes now,plus it dont last long outside compared to White Oak or Eastern Red Cedar etc.I did make a smaller bookcase,a bench/footstool,some small decorative boxes & a few turned items like candlesticks & a bowl or two.Its a good cabinetwood,though it sometimes 'fuzzes up' & dont machine as cleanly compared to the Oaks,Ashes,Hickory,Black Walnut,Hard Maple or Black Cherry.But it works OK with very sharp cutters & patience.
onetracker
Minister of Fire
i love red elm. i look for it standing dead and it splits easily by hand.
burns clean and hot and smells great.
this whole hydraulic splitter thing is refering to american elm.
red elm splits like a dream.
if we're talking about the same tree that is....aka slippery elm.
your results may vary
OT
burns clean and hot and smells great.
this whole hydraulic splitter thing is refering to american elm.
red elm splits like a dream.
if we're talking about the same tree that is....aka slippery elm.
your results may vary
OT
There are still some big trees around. Couple of yrs ago a large one died near me and I have 16" wide boards milled from it. And they stayed straight! Very nice looking wood.
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