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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Bow Bender on June 10, 2019, 03:26:13 PM

Title: Siberian Elm
Post by: Bow Bender on June 10, 2019, 03:26:13 PM

I have a Siberian elm in my yard that winter killed, The trunk is about 6" at the bottom and the usable length of the trunk is about 4 1/2'.
 I haven't heard any mention of anyone using Siberian elm for making laminations. Is this wood suitable for laminations or would I be wasting my time salvaging it?    If it is usable what color is the heartwood?

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: Pat B on June 10, 2019, 10:31:17 PM

I'm not familiar with Siberian elm but if it died this winter it could be infected by fungi. I guess for a glass bow the spalting, if any could be interesting.

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: 4 point on June 10, 2019, 10:39:12 PM

It can make very nice veneers, similar in color to walnut. Just like all woods, it takes a special piece to have nice figure. I have a log drying that I think should have some figure in it. The stuff has a high water content.

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: Bow Bender on June 10, 2019, 10:55:45 PM

In late winter we had a warm spell and a lot of trees started waking up and then we had a really cold spell that killed a lot of trees in this area. The local city forrester  made a comment in an article in our local newspaper saying that siberian elm was one of the species that was hit hard. I suppose that I will save the trunk and give it a try, but I can't cut it until the house wrens that have a nest in the birdhouse
hanging in it are done raising their brood.

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: 4 point on June 10, 2019, 11:11:11 PM

I'd definitely give it a try. Never know what could be inside when you cut it open. I should clarify its lighter and redder than walnut, is what my last post was supposed to say.

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: Bow Bender on June 11, 2019, 12:15:33 AM

Thank. Ill give it a try

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: 4 point on July 28, 2019, 10:50:02 PM

Cut a piece of Siberian Elm today. It was a small tree with some rot so I didn't get much. When my bigger pieces get dry I think I can get some nice stuff.
(https://i.imgur.com/3sCfmyY.jpg)

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: Bow Bender on July 30, 2019, 02:55:41 AM

That's some nice looking stuff. I didn' cut my tree because it finally got some green leaves but not very many. I will wait a while to see if it looks like it will survive or not. But, after seeing what it looks like I may have to put it out of its misery.

Title: Re: Siberian Elm
Post by: Possum Head on July 30, 2019, 09:09:47 PM

Beautiful wood and the first I’ve seen of it. Thanks for showing!