Is Elm Good Wood To Burn? (Firewood Facts Every Arborist Needs)

Let’s face it, between juggling work, family, and the endless to-do list, who has time to become a firewood expert? But if you’re like me, you appreciate a crackling fire on a cold evening. And if you’re an arborist, you likely encounter elm trees regularly. So, the question arises: “Is elm good wood to burn?” The answer, as with many things in life, is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.

Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:

Burn Quality: Understand elm’s unique burning properties – it’s known for its low split-ability but decent heat output.
Seasoning is Key: Learn why proper seasoning is crucial for elm and how to achieve it.
Comparison with Other Woods: See how elm stacks up against popular firewood choices like oak, maple, and birch.
Safety First: Get essential safety tips for handling elm, from felling to splitting.
Environmental Considerations: Explore the ecological impact of using elm as firewood.

Let’s dive in!

Elm Firewood: A Deep Dive

Elm, a common sight in many landscapes, often ends up as firewood. But before you toss those elm logs into your wood-burning stove, let’s get acquainted with its specific properties.

Understanding Elm Tree Varieties

There are several species of elm, and while they share many characteristics, subtle differences can affect their firewood qualities. Here’s a quick rundown:

American Elm (Ulmus americana): Once a majestic tree, the American elm has been decimated by Dutch elm disease. If you find a healthy one, it’s a resilient survivor! Its wood is known for being particularly stringy.
Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra): Also known as red elm, it’s named for the mucilaginous inner bark. It’s a bit easier to split than American elm.
Rock Elm (Ulmus thomasii): This is one of the hardest and heaviest elms, making it a decent firewood choice, though still challenging to split.
European White Elm (Ulmus laevis): This elm is more common in Europe, but can be found elsewhere.

The Good, the Bad, and the Stringy: Elm’s Burning Characteristics

Elm firewood has a mixed reputation, and for good reason. Here’s a breakdown of its pros and cons:

Pros:

Decent Heat Output: Elm provides a respectable amount of heat, around 20 million BTUs per cord. This is comparable to softer maples and cherry.
Long Burn Time: Once seasoned, elm burns relatively slowly, providing a steady heat source.
Availability: In areas where Dutch elm disease has been prevalent, elm is often readily available as dead or dying trees.
Low Sparking: Elm doesn’t tend to spark and throw embers like some other woods, making it safer for open fireplaces.

Cons:

Difficult to Split: This is the big one. Elm is notoriously difficult to split, especially when green. The interlocking grain makes it incredibly stringy and resistant to splitting. I have seen experienced loggers struggle with elm, even with hydraulic splitters.
Slow Seasoning: Elm takes a long time to season properly, typically requiring at least 12-18 months, and even longer in humid climates.
Unpleasant Smell When Green: Freshly cut elm can have a slightly unpleasant odor.

Data Points and Statistics

BTU Content: Elm averages around 20 million BTUs (British Thermal Units) per cord. This puts it in the middle range compared to other hardwoods. Oak, for instance, boasts around 24-28 million BTUs per cord, while softer woods like aspen fall around 12-15 million BTUs per cord.
Seasoning Time: Studies have shown that elm can take up to 50% longer to season than woods like maple or birch. This is due to its dense structure and tendency to retain moisture.
Splitting Force: Research indicates that splitting elm requires significantly more force than splitting comparable hardwoods. Some studies suggest up to a 30% increase in splitting force is needed.

Elm vs. Other Firewood: How Does It Stack Up?

To make an informed decision about using elm as firewood, it’s helpful to compare it to other common firewood choices.

Elm vs. Oak

Oak is often considered the gold standard of firewood. Here’s how elm compares:

Heat Output: Oak wins. It provides significantly more heat per cord than elm.
Seasoning Time: Oak also requires a long seasoning time, but generally a bit less than elm.
Splitting: Oak is generally easier to split than elm, though some oak species can still be challenging.
Overall: Oak is the superior firewood choice, but elm can be a viable alternative if oak is unavailable or more expensive.

Elm vs. Maple

Maple is a popular firewood choice due to its ease of splitting and decent heat output.

Heat Output: Maple and elm are relatively comparable in terms of heat output.
Seasoning Time: Maple seasons faster than elm.
Splitting: Maple is significantly easier to split than elm.
Overall: Maple is generally a better all-around firewood choice due to its ease of handling.

Elm vs. Birch

Birch is known for its quick seasoning time and pleasant aroma when burning.

Heat Output: Birch provides less heat than elm.
Seasoning Time: Birch seasons much faster than elm.
Splitting: Birch is generally easier to split than elm, though some birch species can be stringy.
Overall: Birch is a good choice for shoulder season burning when you don’t need as much heat, but elm provides more sustained heat for colder months.

Expert Insight:

“In my experience, elm is a ‘use it if you got it’ kind of wood,” says veteran logger, Hank Peterson. “It’s not my first choice, but if I have a lot of elm coming down, I’ll process it for firewood. The key is to be patient with the seasoning and use the right tools for splitting.”

Elm Firewood Processing: From Tree to Fireplace

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of processing elm for firewood. This is where the rubber meets the road, and where you’ll encounter elm’s notorious splitting difficulty firsthand.

Felling Elm Trees Safely

Before you even think about splitting, you need to safely fell the elm tree. This is not a task to be taken lightly.

Assess the Tree: Check for dead limbs, leaning angles, and any signs of rot or disease.
Plan Your Escape Route: Clear a path away from the tree in the direction opposite its lean.
Make the Notch Cut: Cut a notch on the side of the tree facing the direction you want it to fall. The notch should be about one-third of the tree’s diameter.
Make the Back Cut: Cut from the opposite side of the tree, slightly above the notch, leaving a hinge of wood to control the fall.
Wedge if Necessary: If the tree doesn’t start to fall on its own, use a wedge to help push it over.
Retreat Quickly: Once the tree starts to fall, move quickly and safely away from the falling tree.

Safety Tip: Always wear appropriate safety gear, including a hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, and sturdy boots.

The Art of Splitting Elm (and Why It’s a Challenge)

This is where many people struggle with elm. Its stringy, interlocking grain makes it incredibly resistant to splitting. Here are some tips to make the process easier:

Use a Hydraulic Splitter: If you have a lot of elm to split, a hydraulic splitter is almost essential. Look for a model with at least 20 tons of splitting force.
Split When Frozen: Splitting elm when it’s frozen can make it slightly easier, as the wood becomes more brittle.
Use Wedges: If you’re splitting by hand, use wedges to help force the wood apart. Drive the wedge into the end of the log and then use a sledgehammer to drive it further.
Split Around the Edges: Instead of trying to split the log straight down the middle, try splitting off smaller pieces around the edges first.
Consider the Grain: Look for natural cracks or weaknesses in the wood and try to split along those lines.
Sharp Tools are Essential: Ensure your axe or splitting maul is razor sharp. A dull tool will just bounce off the wood.

Case Study:

A local firewood producer, Bob, shared his experience with elm. “I used to dread dealing with elm. It was a nightmare to split. Then I invested in a good hydraulic splitter, and it made all the difference. Now I can process elm almost as quickly as other hardwoods.”

Sizing and Stacking for Optimal Seasoning

Once you’ve split the elm, it’s crucial to size and stack it properly for seasoning.

Cut to Length: Cut the split pieces to the desired length for your wood stove or fireplace. Typically, 16-18 inches is a good length.
Stack Loosely: Stack the wood in a single row, with gaps between the pieces to allow for air circulation.
Elevate the Stack: Place the wood on pallets or other supports to keep it off the ground and prevent moisture from wicking up.
Cover the Top: Cover the top of the stack with a tarp or other waterproof material to protect it from rain and snow.
Choose a Sunny, Windy Location: Place the stack in a location that receives plenty of sunlight and wind to promote drying.

Seasoning Elm: Patience is a Virtue

Seasoning is the process of drying out the wood to reduce its moisture content. This is crucial for efficient burning and minimizing smoke.

Why Seasoning Matters

Improved Burning Efficiency: Dry wood burns hotter and more efficiently than green wood.
Reduced Smoke: Green wood produces a lot of smoke, which can be harmful to your health and the environment.
Less Creosote Buildup: Burning green wood increases the risk of creosote buildup in your chimney, which can lead to chimney fires.

The Ideal Moisture Content

The ideal moisture content for firewood is around 20%. You can use a moisture meter to check the moisture content of your wood.

The Seasoning Process

Split the Wood: Splitting the wood exposes more surface area to the air, which speeds up the drying process.
Stack Properly: As mentioned earlier, proper stacking is essential for air circulation.
Allow Adequate Time: Elm typically requires at least 12-18 months to season properly, and even longer in humid climates.
Monitor Moisture Content: Regularly check the moisture content of the wood to ensure it’s drying properly.

Tips for Faster Seasoning

Top Covering: Use a top covering to protect the wood from rain and snow, but leave the sides open for air circulation.
Small Stacks: Smaller stacks of wood will dry faster than larger stacks.
Strategic Location: Place the stack in a location that receives plenty of sunlight and wind.

Safety Considerations When Burning Elm

Burning firewood safely is paramount. Here are some important safety considerations when burning elm:

Chimney Maintenance

Regular Inspections: Have your chimney inspected annually by a qualified professional.
Clean Regularly: Clean your chimney regularly to remove creosote buildup. The frequency of cleaning depends on how often you burn wood and the type of wood you burn.
Install a Chimney Cap: A chimney cap prevents rain, snow, and animals from entering your chimney.

Wood Stove Safety

Proper Installation: Have your wood stove professionally installed according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Use a Hearth Pad: Place a non-combustible hearth pad under your wood stove to protect the floor from heat and embers.
Maintain Clearances: Maintain proper clearances between the wood stove and combustible materials.
Use a Spark Arrestor: If you have an open fireplace, use a spark arrestor to prevent embers from escaping.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas.
Test Detectors Regularly: Test your carbon monoxide detectors regularly to ensure they are working properly.
Never Burn Wood Indoors Without Proper Ventilation: Ensure your wood stove or fireplace is properly vented to the outside.

Environmental Impact of Burning Elm

Burning any type of wood has an environmental impact. Here are some considerations specific to elm:

Sustainability

Source Responsibly: Ensure the elm you’re burning is sourced sustainably. This means harvesting trees in a way that doesn’t damage the forest ecosystem.
Use Dead or Dying Trees: Prioritize using dead or dying elm trees for firewood, as this helps to clean up the forest and reduce the risk of wildfires.
Consider Alternatives: If possible, consider using alternative heating sources, such as natural gas, propane, or electricity, which may have a lower environmental impact.

Air Quality

Burn Dry Wood: Burning dry wood produces less smoke and fewer pollutants than burning green wood.
Use an Efficient Wood Stove: Modern wood stoves are much more efficient and produce less pollution than older models.
Be Mindful of Air Quality Alerts: Avoid burning wood on days when air quality alerts are in effect.

The Dutch Elm Disease Factor

The widespread death of elm trees due to Dutch elm disease has created a unique situation. While it’s tragic, utilizing these dead trees for firewood can be seen as a way to make the best of a bad situation, provided it’s done responsibly and sustainably.

Tools of the Trade: Essential Equipment for Elm Firewood Processing

Having the right tools can make all the difference when processing elm firewood. Here’s a rundown of essential equipment:

Chainsaw

A chainsaw is essential for felling trees and bucking logs.

Choose the Right Size: Select a chainsaw with a bar length appropriate for the size of the trees you’ll be felling.
Maintain Sharpness: Keep the chain sharp for efficient cutting.
Safety Features: Look for safety features such as a chain brake and anti-vibration system.

Splitting Axe or Maul

A splitting axe or maul is used for splitting logs by hand.

Weight: Choose a weight that you can comfortably swing for extended periods.
Handle Length: Select a handle length that provides good leverage.
Sharpness: Keep the blade sharp for efficient splitting.

Hydraulic Splitter

A hydraulic splitter is almost essential for splitting elm, especially if you have a lot to process.

Splitting Force: Look for a model with at least 20 tons of splitting force.
Cycle Time: Consider the cycle time, which is the time it takes for the splitter to complete one splitting cycle.
Log Capacity: Ensure the splitter can handle the size of logs you’ll be splitting.

Wedges and Sledgehammer

Wedges and a sledgehammer are useful for splitting particularly tough logs.

Steel Wedges: Use steel wedges, as they are more durable than wooden wedges.
Sledgehammer Weight: Choose a sledgehammer weight that you can comfortably swing.

Safety Gear

Safety gear is essential for protecting yourself while processing firewood.

Hard Hat: Protects your head from falling branches and other debris.
Eye Protection: Protects your eyes from flying wood chips and debris.
Hearing Protection: Protects your ears from the noise of the chainsaw and splitter.
Gloves: Protect your hands from cuts and abrasions.
Steel-Toed Boots: Protect your feet from falling logs and sharp objects.

Actionable Conclusions and Next Steps

So, is elm good wood to burn? The answer is a qualified yes. It’s not the easiest wood to process, but it provides decent heat and a long burn time. If you have access to elm and are willing to put in the extra effort to split and season it properly, it can be a viable firewood option.

Here are your next steps:

Assess Your Needs: Determine how much firewood you need and what your priorities are (heat output, ease of splitting, etc.).
Evaluate Your Resources: Consider your access to elm, your budget for tools, and your physical capabilities.
Prioritize Safety: Always prioritize safety when felling trees and processing firewood.
Start Small: If you’re new to firewood processing, start with a small amount of elm to get a feel for its characteristics.
Be Patient: Seasoning elm takes time, so be patient and allow it to dry properly.

By following these tips, you can safely and effectively use elm as firewood to heat your home and enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a crackling fire.

Now, get out there, grab your chainsaw (safely!), and start processing that elm! Just remember, patience and the right tools are your best friends when dealing with this stringy, yet ultimately rewarding, firewood option. And as always, stay safe and enjoy the warmth of your hard work!