I wouldn't waste my time on red (or any) elm. Almost anything would be better. If you don't like any of the cedars, any of which is one of the best choices, go with mahogany, teak, or yellow pine. Composites are also a possibility.
DanK
there are a number of naturally rot resistant woods, the tropicals like purple heart IPE and others, but they are harder to work and I burned some IPE in a plug cutter and it was worse than pepper spray. But there are a number of native woods that are rot resistant as well. Locust, while not native, is plentiful here and I use it in outside stick style and for bench legs. plum is very resistant, and less so cherry. I like the white oaks, especially chestnut oak (which tend to grow slower and tighter grained).
Even so I have used hickory and ash and other woods in outdoor benches from slab cuts. Understand that they have a limited use, around 10 years, which compared to the metal patio furniture my wife got, which is rusting after just a few years, seems like a decent time.
So your elm may rot in a decade, but keep them out of the dirt and they might outlast your car and refrigerator and washing machine.
I'm not sure I'd worry so much about the elm rotting away, a good finish will take care of that, elm is pretty unstable with moisture changes. Its ok for internal stuff. Outside…....not so much.
For outdoor furniture I don't see it. I have quite a bit of elm and it takes patience to work with. Warps easy. BUT, it can be very beautiful if taken care of properly.
BTW, black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia is native and would be the second best choice for this use. Osage orange would be the best, but it is very hard to get.
White oak would be my choice. Elm has spiral grain and wants to twist and warp with moisture changes, and the moisture changes in outdoor furniture can be extreme.
I have both white and red elm. Old references says Red is better than White but both should be kept off the ground. Paint should take care of that. Same source says black walnut (heart only), American Hop Hornbeam and Black Locust. I'd be sure the RE was dry and flat. You will be disappointed if you expect to hold its form like Oak or Ash. I will try cypress next summer. Try the Red Elm -if it doesn't work out you'll have the most gorgeous firewood.
Red Elm has a distinctive odor when worked indoors-- think of Cub Scouts putting out the campfire. It was very difficult to dry-2 years in bole, two years in warm, dry garage. Ripped thin on bandsaw and just before the end of the cut WATER came out of the pores? I'll wait a while longer. On Wisconsin, Steve
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