09/04/2026
Wood Species Spotlight | #006
American Elm (Ulmus americana)
American elm is a tree with a remarkable place in North American history. Its tall, vase-shaped canopy once formed leafy tunnels over streets in communities across the continent.
The face grain (left) highlights the wood's natural color and grain, while the end grain (10×, right) reveals the microscopic structures unique to the species.
Three things that make American Elm stand out:
Its interlocked grain is tough to split
American elm often has strongly interlocked grain, which makes the wood resistant to splitting. This toughness makes it well suited for applications where wood must withstand shock and stress.
Dutch elm disease changed the landscape
Beginning in the 20th century, Dutch elm disease devastated American elm populations across much of North America. Because the species was planted extensively along city streets, its decline dramatically changed the appearance of many communities.
It has a history of hard-working uses
American elm's toughness and resistance to splitting made it valuable for wagon hubs, baskets, crates, and other products that had to withstand repeated impacts and rough use.
Are there still mature American elms growing in your community? Tell us about the ones you've seen in the comments!
Photos courtesy of The Wood Database:
https://www.wood-database.com/
