Red Elm Question

[Ralphie Boy]

Is Red Elm also known as Slippery Elm?

 

[lukem]

Yes.

 

[Thistle]

That's the main name used among arborists & forestry professionals.

 

[Wood Duck]

The scientific name of the tree is Ulmus rubra. Rubra means red, but it is also called Slippery Elm supposedly because the inner bark is slimy and was eaten to prevent scurvy. Someone here should give the bark a taste and let us know if you feel a little less scurvy afterward.

 

[Ash_403]

I just recently finished splitting over a cord of it.
Yep, the bark oozes a gooey, clear, jelly-like substance.
Sorry, I have no desire to taste it.

Cheers

 

[midwestcoast]

I just burned about a cord & a half of it this season. Not bad wood at all. It was waaay easier to split than American Elm is supposed to be. That inner bark is a bit messy when it dries out & flakes off in little ribbons. And I have eaten some. Not from my firewood, but Slippery Elm lozenges are a good old-timey remedy for sore throats!

 

[Woody Stover]

Someone here should give the bark a taste and let us know if you feel a little less scurvy afterward.

I would do that but all the Red Elm I've taken is already bark-less.

I just burned about a cord & a half of it this season. Not bad wood at all. It was waaay easier to split than American Elm is supposed to be

Agreed...burn pretty nicely, gives off good heat. I split some of the stuff I had by hand; Not as easy to split as some, but not too hard...smaller, straight pieces weren't anyway.