Reply by SteviePete

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

-- Steve, 'Sconie Great White North