Is Elm Wood Valuable? (5 Proven Tips For Quality Firewood)

Okay, let’s dive into the world of elm wood and its potential as valuable firewood. I’ll share my expertise, personal experiences, and practical tips to help you determine if elm is the right choice for your needs.

Is Elm Wood Valuable? (5 Proven Tips for Quality Firewood)

My old Labrador, Buster, bless his furry soul, had a habit of using any stack of firewood as his personal lookout post. He seemed to have a particular fondness for the elm logs. Maybe it was the texture of the bark, maybe he just knew I spent a lot of time fussing over them, but it got me thinking: is all that effort truly worth it? Is elm wood actually valuable?

That question is what I want to explore with you today. Elm often gets a bad rap in the firewood world, and sometimes deservedly so. It can be stringy, difficult to split, and prone to interlocking grain that seems designed to frustrate anyone wielding an axe. However, with the right knowledge and techniques, elm can be a surprisingly good source of heat.

In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about elm wood, from identifying different species to properly seasoning and splitting it. I’ll share my own experiences, both the successes and the failures, along with practical tips to help you get the most out of this often-underestimated wood.

What is Elm Wood?

Elm wood comes from trees of the Ulmus genus, which includes various species found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Common varieties include American elm, red elm (also known as slippery elm), and English elm. Elm is typically a hardwood, known for its tough and resilient nature.

Green Wood vs. Seasoned Wood:

Green Wood: This is freshly cut wood that still contains a high amount of moisture. Green wood is heavy, difficult to burn, and produces a lot of smoke. It also has a lower heat output compared to seasoned wood.
Seasoned Wood: This is wood that has been properly dried, reducing its moisture content. Seasoned wood is lighter, easier to burn, produces less smoke, and generates significantly more heat.

BTU (British Thermal Unit): A Measure of Heat Output

BTU is a unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of heat energy produced when burning a specific amount of fuel, in this case, wood. Different types of wood have different BTU ratings per cord. Knowing the BTU rating helps you compare the heating potential of various wood species.

Cord of Wood: Standard Measurement

A cord of wood is a standard unit of volume for firewood, defined as a stack of wood measuring 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long, totaling 128 cubic feet. This includes the air space between the pieces of wood. When people talk about the price of wood, they generally mean the price per cord.

The Pros and Cons of Elm Firewood

Let’s start by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of using elm for firewood.

Pros:

High Heat Output: Elm, when properly seasoned, offers a respectable BTU rating. While not as high as oak or hickory, it can still provide a good amount of heat for your home. Different species of elm have different BTU. American elm is around 20.3 million BTU per cord, while Red elm is around 18.2 million BTU per cord.
Long Burn Time: Elm tends to burn relatively slowly, providing a steady and consistent heat output.
Readily Available (In Some Areas): Depending on your location, elm might be abundant due to factors like Dutch elm disease, making it a readily available and potentially cheaper option.
Relatively Easy to Ignite (When Seasoned): Once properly dried, elm is easier to get burning compared to some denser hardwoods.

Cons:

Difficult to Split: This is the biggest complaint about elm. Its stringy, interlocking grain makes it notoriously difficult to split, especially when green.
Prone to Dutch Elm Disease: This fungal disease has decimated elm populations in many areas, leading to an increased risk of dealing with diseased or decaying wood.
Can Be Smelly When Burning Green: Burning unseasoned elm can produce a pungent and unpleasant odor.
Requires Longer Seasoning Time: Elm’s dense nature means it takes longer to dry properly compared to some other firewood species.

5 Proven Tips for Getting Quality Firewood from Elm

Now, let’s get into the practical tips for turning elm into a valuable source of firewood.

Tip 1: Identifying Elm Species Correctly

Accurate identification is crucial. Different elm species have slightly different properties. For example, red elm (slippery elm) is generally considered a bit easier to split than American elm.

How to Identify Elm:

Leaves: Elm leaves are typically oval-shaped with serrated edges and asymmetrical bases (one side of the leaf base is slightly higher than the other).
Bark: The bark of mature elm trees is usually deeply furrowed and ridged.
Twigs: Elm twigs often have a slightly zig-zag pattern.
Seed Pods: Elm trees produce small, papery seed pods (samaras) that are dispersed by the wind.

My Experience: I once misidentified a pile of wood as ash, only to discover later it was elm when the splitting proved nearly impossible. The leaves were gone, and the bark looked similar from a distance. Now, I always double-check using multiple identification methods.

Tip 2: Felling and Bucking Elm Logs Strategically

The way you fell and buck elm logs can significantly impact how easy they are to split later.

Felling Techniques:

Assess the Lean: Carefully assess the tree’s natural lean and any potential hazards before felling.
Notch Cut: Make a precise notch cut on the side of the tree in the direction you want it to fall. The notch should be about one-third of the tree’s diameter.
Back Cut: Make the back cut slightly above the notch, leaving a hinge of wood to control the fall.
Wedges: Use felling wedges to help direct the fall and prevent the saw from binding.

Bucking Techniques:

Cut to Manageable Lengths: Buck the logs into lengths that are easy to handle and split. I typically aim for 16-18 inch lengths, but adjust based on the size of your stove or fireplace.
Avoid Cutting on the Ground: Elevate the logs on other pieces of wood or a log stand to prevent the saw from binding and to make cutting easier.
Consider Grain Orientation: Look for sections of the log with fewer knots and straighter grain, as these will be easier to split.

Tool Specifications:

Chainsaw: A chainsaw with a 18-20 inch bar is suitable for most elm trees. I personally use a Stihl MS 271 Farm Boss with an 18-inch bar.
Felling Axe: A good quality felling axe is essential for making notch cuts and driving wedges. I recommend a Gransfors Bruks Scandinavian Forest Axe.
Wedges: Use plastic or aluminum felling wedges to avoid damaging your chainsaw chain.

Safety Considerations: Always wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, and chainsaw chaps when felling and bucking trees.

Tip 3: The Key to Splitting Elm: Patience and the Right Tools

This is where most people struggle with elm. The key is to use the right tools and techniques.

Splitting Techniques:

Hydraulic Log Splitter: If you have a lot of elm to split, a hydraulic log splitter is a lifesaver. It provides the power needed to split even the most stubborn pieces. I use a 25-ton gas-powered log splitter from Champion.
Splitting Axe: A heavy splitting axe with a wedge-shaped head can be effective for smaller pieces or for splitting already partially split rounds.
Splitting Maul: A splitting maul combines the weight of an axe with the striking force of a sledgehammer. It’s great for driving wedges into tough rounds.
Wedges and Sledgehammer: Use steel splitting wedges and a sledgehammer to split extremely difficult rounds. Drive the wedges into cracks or along the grain.
The “Elm Splitter” Technique: This is a technique I developed over years of battling elm. Start by making a small split on one side of the round. Then, rotate the round 90 degrees and make another split. Repeat this process, gradually working your way around the round. This helps to relieve the tension in the wood and makes it easier to split.

Strategic Advantages of a Hydraulic Splitter: A hydraulic splitter significantly reduces the physical strain involved in splitting elm, allowing you to process a much larger volume of wood in less time. It also reduces the risk of injury compared to using manual tools.

Case Study: I once had a massive elm tree fall in my yard after a storm. I tried splitting it with a splitting axe and maul, but I was making very little progress. After struggling for a day, I rented a hydraulic log splitter. I was able to split the entire tree in just a few hours, saving myself a lot of time and effort.

Moisture Content Targets: Aim for a moisture content of 20% or less for optimal burning.

Tip 4: Seasoning Elm for Optimal Burning

Proper seasoning is essential for turning elm into good firewood.

Seasoning Process:

Split the Wood: Splitting the wood exposes more surface area, allowing it to dry faster.
Stack the Wood: Stack the wood in a single row, off the ground, in a sunny and windy location. This promotes air circulation and speeds up the drying process.
Cover the Top: Cover the top of the stack with a tarp to protect it from rain and snow, but leave the sides open for ventilation.
Allow Sufficient Time: Elm typically takes 12-24 months to season properly, depending on the climate and the size of the pieces.

Drying Methods:

Air Drying: This is the most common and cost-effective method.
Kiln Drying: This is a faster but more expensive method that involves drying the wood in a kiln.

Timing Estimates: Expect elm to take at least 12 months to season in a dry climate and up to 24 months in a humid climate. I’ve found that the smaller the pieces, the faster they dry.

Cost Analysis: Air drying is essentially free (aside from the initial cost of a tarp), while kiln drying can cost $50-$100 per cord.

Tip 5: Stacking and Storing Elm Firewood Properly

Proper stacking and storage are crucial for maintaining the quality of your seasoned elm firewood.

Stacking Techniques:

Off the Ground: Stack the wood on pallets, cinder blocks, or other materials to keep it off the ground and prevent moisture from wicking up from the soil.
Criss-Cross the Ends: Criss-cross the ends of the stack to create a stable structure that won’t collapse.
Allow Air Circulation: Leave space between the rows of wood to allow for air circulation.
Cover the Top: Cover the top of the stack with a tarp to protect it from rain and snow.

Storage Considerations:

Location: Choose a location that is dry, sunny, and well-ventilated.
Protection from the Elements: Protect the wood from rain, snow, and direct sunlight to prevent it from rotting or drying out too quickly.
Pest Control: Inspect the wood regularly for signs of insects or pests and take appropriate measures to control them.

Strategic Insights: Proper stacking and storage not only protect your firewood from the elements but also help to prevent the growth of mold and fungi, which can reduce its heat output and make it less enjoyable to burn.

Additional Considerations

Here are a few additional factors to keep in mind when working with elm firewood:

Dutch Elm Disease: Be aware of the risk of Dutch elm disease. Avoid using wood from diseased trees, as it may be more difficult to split and burn.
Ash Content: Elm has a relatively high ash content, so you may need to clean your stove or fireplace more frequently.
Sparking: Elm can sometimes spark a bit when burning, so it’s important to use a fire screen to prevent sparks from escaping.

Conclusion: Is Elm Wood Valuable?

So, is elm wood valuable? The answer, as with many things, is it depends. It depends on your circumstances, your tools, and your willingness to put in the effort. If you have access to elm, are willing to invest in the right tools (especially a log splitter), and are patient enough to season it properly, then elm can be a valuable and sustainable source of heat.

I’ve learned over the years that every type of wood has its quirks and challenges. Elm might be a bit more demanding than some other species, but the reward of a warm, crackling fire on a cold winter night is well worth the effort.

Next Steps

Ready to put these tips into action? Here are a few practical next steps you can take:

Identify Elm Trees: Start by identifying elm trees in your area.
Gather the Right Tools: Make sure you have the necessary tools, including a chainsaw, splitting axe, maul, wedges, and ideally a hydraulic log splitter.
Fell and Buck the Logs: Fell and buck the logs into manageable lengths.
Split the Wood: Split the wood using the techniques described above.
Season the Wood: Stack the wood in a sunny and windy location and allow it to season for 12-24 months.
Stack and Store the Firewood: Stack and store the seasoned firewood properly to protect it from the elements.

And remember, always prioritize safety when working with chainsaws and axes. Wear appropriate safety gear and follow all safety guidelines. With a little knowledge, effort, and patience, you can turn elm into a valuable and reliable source of firewood. Good luck, and happy burning!

Is Elm Wood Valuable? (5 Proven Tips for Quality Firewood)