Is Elm Tree Good Firewood? (5 Key Woodburning Facts)

I’ve been there. Staring at a downed elm tree, chainsaw in hand, wondering if it’s worth the effort. The question, “Is elm tree good firewood?” has haunted many a woodcutter, myself included. It’s not as straightforward as oak or maple, but don’t dismiss it just yet.

Elm has a unique reputation in the firewood world. It’s known for being stringy and difficult to split, but it also holds a decent amount of heat. So, is it worth the trouble? Let’s dive into the facts and see if elm deserves a spot in your woodpile.

Key Takeaways:

Elm is moderately good firewood, producing decent heat but challenging to split, especially when seasoned.
Green elm is easier to split than seasoned elm. Consider splitting it soon after felling.
Elm’s high water content requires longer seasoning times (at least 12-18 months).
Elm is prone to Dutch elm disease, so be mindful of its source and potential spread.
Different species of elm (American, Red, Slippery) have slightly varying firewood qualities.

My Early Encounters with Elm: A Love-Hate Relationship

I still remember the first time I tried to split a seasoned elm round. It was like attacking a rubber tire with an axe. The wood just wouldn’t cleave. I swung and swung, sweat dripping, frustration mounting. I almost gave up, but I was too stubborn to admit defeat. Eventually, after much grunting and a few choice words, I managed to split it… into three uneven pieces.

That experience taught me a valuable lesson: elm is not your average firewood. It demands respect, patience, and the right techniques. Over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate elm for its heat output, but I’ve also learned to dread the splitting process.

Understanding Elm Wood: What Makes It Unique?

Elm wood has a distinctive interwoven grain structure. This is what makes it so tough and resistant to splitting. The fibers are tightly intertwined, creating a “locking” effect that prevents clean breaks. This is also why elm is valued for applications requiring high impact resistance, such as hockey sticks (historically) and certain types of furniture.

Here’s a closer look at the properties of elm wood:

Density: Elm has a medium density, typically ranging from 35 to 45 pounds per cubic foot when dry. This puts it in the same range as ash and cherry.
Heat Output: Elm produces around 20 million BTUs (British Thermal Units) per cord. This is comparable to birch and slightly less than oak.
Seasoning Time: Elm requires a longer seasoning time than many other hardwoods, typically 12-18 months. This is due to its high water content when freshly cut.
Splitting Difficulty: As mentioned earlier, splitting elm can be challenging, especially when seasoned. Green elm is generally easier to split.

5 Key Facts About Elm as Firewood: The Devil is in the Details

Let’s break down the key aspects of using elm as firewood, based on my experience and research.

Fact 1: Splitting Elm: A Test of Patience and Skill

Splitting elm is where many people run into trouble. Seasoned elm is notorious for its stringy, almost rubbery texture, making it incredibly difficult to split with an axe.

Here are some tips for splitting elm more easily:

Split it green: This is the most crucial tip. Elm is significantly easier to split when it’s freshly cut. The moisture content helps the wood cleave more readily.
Use a hydraulic log splitter: If you have a lot of elm to split, investing in a log splitter is a game-changer. It takes the brute force out of the equation and makes the process much more efficient.
Use wedges: Wedges can be helpful for splitting particularly tough rounds. Drive them into the wood with a sledgehammer to create a split.
Target the edges: Instead of aiming for the center of the round, try splitting from the edges. This can sometimes be easier as the wood is less dense in these areas.
Consider the “star” method: For large rounds, try splitting them into a star shape by making several cuts from the edge towards the center. This will weaken the wood and make it easier to split into smaller pieces.

Expert Insight: I spoke with a local arborist, Mark Olsen, who has years of experience dealing with elm trees. He said, “The key to splitting elm is to catch it early. Don’t let it sit around and dry out. The longer it sits, the harder it gets.”

Fact 2: Seasoning Elm: Time is of the Essence

Elm has a high moisture content when freshly cut, typically around 50-60%. This means it needs a significant amount of time to season properly before it can be burned efficiently.

Why is seasoning important?

Reduces moisture content: Burning unseasoned wood leads to incomplete combustion, resulting in less heat and more smoke.
Increases heat output: Dry wood burns hotter and more efficiently than wet wood.
Reduces creosote buildup: Creosote is a flammable substance that can accumulate in your chimney and increase the risk of a chimney fire. Burning dry wood minimizes creosote buildup.

How to season elm properly:

Split the wood: Splitting the wood exposes more surface area, allowing it to dry faster.
Stack it loosely: Stack the wood in a single row, with space between each piece for air circulation.
Elevate the wood: 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 woodpile with a tarp or roof to protect it from rain and snow. Leave the sides open for ventilation.
Be patient: Allow the wood to season for at least 12-18 months, or even longer in humid climates.

Data Point: Studies have shown that properly seasoned firewood can produce up to 50% more heat than unseasoned wood.

Fact 3: Elm’s Heat Output: A Decent Performer

While elm isn’t the hottest-burning wood out there, it still provides a respectable amount of heat. As mentioned earlier, it produces around 20 million BTUs per cord.

Here’s how elm compares to other common firewood species:

Oak: 27 million BTUs per cord (Excellent)
Maple: 24 million BTUs per cord (Very Good)
Ash: 24 million BTUs per cord (Very Good)
Birch: 20 million BTUs per cord (Good)
Elm: 20 million BTUs per cord (Good)
Pine: 14 million BTUs per cord (Fair)

Factors affecting heat output:

Moisture content: As mentioned earlier, dry wood burns hotter.
Species: Different species have different densities and energy contents.
Burning conditions: Proper airflow and a hot firebox are essential for efficient combustion.

Personal Experience: I’ve found that elm burns best in a hot, well-established fire. It tends to smolder if the fire is too small or the airflow is restricted.

Fact 4: Dutch Elm Disease: A Cause for Concern

Dutch elm disease (DED) is a fungal disease that has decimated elm populations across North America and Europe. It’s spread by elm bark beetles and can kill trees quickly.

Why is DED relevant to firewood?

Potential spread: While the fungus primarily lives within the tree’s vascular system, there’s a theoretical risk of spreading it through firewood, especially if the wood contains bark beetles.
Wood quality: Trees killed by DED may have compromised wood quality, making them more prone to rot and decay.

What to do if you suspect DED:

Identify the symptoms: Look for yellowing or wilting leaves, especially in the upper crown of the tree.
Contact a local arborist: They can confirm the diagnosis and recommend appropriate action.
Follow local regulations: Some areas have restrictions on the movement of elm firewood to prevent the spread of DED.
Season the wood thoroughly: Proper seasoning will kill any remaining bark beetles and reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

Important Note: While the risk of spreading DED through firewood is relatively low, it’s always best to err on the side of caution.

Fact 5: Different Elm Species: Not All Elm is Created Equal

There are several species of elm trees, and their firewood qualities can vary slightly. The most common species in North America are:

American Elm (Ulmus americana): This was once the most common elm species, but it has been heavily impacted by DED. American elm is known for its vase-like shape and its relatively tough wood.
Red Elm (Ulmus rubra), also known as Slippery Elm: Red elm is named for its reddish-brown bark. It’s generally considered to be slightly easier to split than American elm.
Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila): Siberian elm is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant species that is often planted as a street tree. However, it’s generally considered to be the least desirable elm species for firewood due to its lower density and heat output.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Species	Splitting Difficulty	Heat Output	Other Notes
American Elm	Difficult	Good	Most susceptible to DED
Red Elm	Moderately Difficult	Good	Slightly easier to split than American elm
Siberian Elm	Easier	Fair	Lower density, less desirable for firewood

Practical Tip: If you’re unsure which species of elm you have, try to identify it by its bark, leaves, and overall shape. A good tree identification guide can be helpful.

Advanced Techniques for Processing Elm Firewood

Over the years, I’ve developed a few advanced techniques for processing elm firewood that can make the job easier and more efficient.

The “Kerf and Wedge” Method:

This method is particularly useful for splitting large, stubborn elm rounds.

Make a kerf: Use your chainsaw to cut a kerf (a narrow groove) into the round, about halfway through its thickness.
Insert a wedge: Drive a splitting wedge into the kerf with a sledgehammer.
Continue splitting: Continue hammering the wedge until the round begins to split. You may need to use multiple wedges for larger rounds.

Why it works: The kerf weakens the wood fibers, making it easier for the wedge to split the round.

The “Hydraulic Assist” Method:

This method combines the power of a hydraulic log splitter with the precision of an axe.

Position the round: Place the elm round on the log splitter bed.
Apply pressure: Use the log splitter to apply pressure to the round, but don’t split it completely.
Finish with an axe: Use your axe to finish the split, targeting the area where the log splitter has created a weak point.

Why it works: The log splitter pre-stresses the wood, making it easier to split with an axe. This method can be particularly useful for rounds that are too large or too tough to split with an axe alone.

Chainsaw Milling for Elm:

If you have access to a chainsaw mill, you can use it to mill elm logs into lumber. This can be a great way to utilize elm wood that is too difficult to split for firewood.

Set up the mill: Attach the chainsaw mill to your chainsaw and set it up according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Mill the log: Make a series of parallel cuts along the length of the log, creating planks of the desired thickness.
Season the lumber: Stack the lumber with spacers between each board to allow for proper air circulation. Allow it to season for several months before using it.

Why it works: Milling elm logs into lumber bypasses the splitting process altogether. The lumber can then be used for a variety of projects, such as furniture making, woodworking, and construction.

Safety First: Essential Precautions When Working with Elm

Working with elm wood can be challenging, and it’s important to take safety precautions to avoid injuries.

Wear appropriate safety gear: This includes safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and sturdy boots.
Use sharp tools: Sharp tools are safer and more efficient than dull tools. Keep your axe and chainsaw blades sharp and well-maintained.
Be aware of your surroundings: Clear the area around you of any obstacles and make sure you have a stable footing.
Take breaks: Splitting wood can be physically demanding. Take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue and prevent injuries.
Don’t work alone: It’s always safer to work with a partner, especially when using power tools.
Know your limits: Don’t try to split rounds that are too large or too tough for you to handle.

Expert Advice: “Always respect the wood,” says veteran logger, John Peterson. “Elm can be unpredictable. Pay attention to the grain, and never force anything. If it doesn’t feel right, stop and reassess.”

Elm Firewood: The Verdict

So, is elm tree good firewood? The answer is a qualified yes. It’s not the easiest wood to work with, but it provides decent heat and can be a valuable resource if you know how to handle it.

Here’s a summary of the pros and cons:

Pros:

Decent heat output
Burns relatively cleanly when seasoned properly
Can be a sustainable resource if sourced responsibly

Cons:

Difficult to split, especially when seasoned
Requires a longer seasoning time
Susceptible to Dutch elm disease

My Recommendation:

If you have access to elm trees, don’t dismiss them as firewood. Just be prepared for a bit of a challenge. Split it green, season it thoroughly, and use proper techniques to make the job easier. With a little effort, you can turn elm into a valuable source of heat for your home.

Actionable Steps: Getting Started with Elm Firewood

Ready to give elm firewood a try? Here are some actionable steps you can take:

Identify elm trees: Learn to identify elm trees in your area. Look for their distinctive bark, leaves, and overall shape.
Source elm wood: If you don’t have elm trees on your property, contact local arborists or logging companies to see if they have any elm wood available.
Split it green: Split the elm wood as soon as possible after felling.
Season it properly: Stack the wood loosely, elevate it off the ground, and cover the top. Allow it to season for at least 12-18 months.
Start burning: Once the wood is properly seasoned, start burning it in your fireplace or wood stove. Enjoy the warmth and the satisfaction of using a sustainable resource.

The Future of Elm: A Hopeful Outlook

Despite the challenges posed by Dutch elm disease, there is hope for the future of elm trees. Researchers are working to develop disease-resistant varieties that can thrive in urban and rural environments.

Here are some promising developments:

Disease-resistant cultivars: Several disease-resistant cultivars of American elm have been developed and are now available for planting.
Integrated pest management: Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies can help to control elm bark beetles and reduce the spread of DED.
Community involvement: Community-based tree planting programs can help to restore elm populations and raise awareness about the importance of these trees.

Final Thoughts:

Elm may not be the perfect firewood, but it’s a valuable resource that deserves our attention. By understanding its unique properties and using proper techniques, we can turn elm into a sustainable source of heat for our homes and help to ensure the future of these magnificent trees. So, the next time you see a downed elm tree, don’t hesitate to grab your chainsaw and get to work. You might just be surprised at what you can accomplish.