Elm

[Googleheimer]

I've had to chop down an elm tree due to dutch elm disease, it looks fine. So I've got some decent sized logs. What should I do with them to preserve them for any future plans I may have? Bearing in mind I know nothing about wood and seasoning it etc. and I've never actually made anything apart from a shed and a gate but I like the idea of getting into making more decorative things, I think I could get some good planks from this tree. Thanks.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Whack some pva glue, old paint, varnish or something on the cut ends quickly to help stop large cracks - you've then plenty of time then to think what to do with them.

 

[Googleheimer]

Thanks, I'll get on that tomorrow.

 

[dickm]

furryboots in Aberdeenshire?? it's a big county!

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

Elm is a difficult one. It is no good keeping the log in the round, it needs to be reduced into boards or at least into quarters, otherwise it will crack horribly as it dries out and be unusable. I've done this myself by splitting the log with a maul, splitting wedges and froe, the old traditional way, since I had no access to a chainsaw mill to make the boards. Unfortunately, elm is virtually impossible to split and need to be sawn. If it is a quality tree, it may be worth hiring a mobile chainsaw mill, otherwise, you might be better trying to chain sawing it into wood turning blanks or short quartered billets that can be bandsawn into short boards.

Mike.i

 

[Googleheimer]

Hello,

Elm is a difficult one. It is no good keeping the log in the round, it needs to be reduced into boards or at least into quarters, otherwise it will crack horribly as it dries out and be unusable. I've done this myself by splitting the log with a maul, splitting wedges and froe, the old traditional way, since I had no access to a chainsaw mill to make the boards. Unfortunately, elm is virtually impossible to split and need to be sawn. If it is a quality tree, it may be worth hiring a mobile chainsaw mill, otherwise, you might be better trying to chain sawing it into wood turning blanks or short quartered billets that can be bandsawn into short boards.

Mike.i

Thanks Mike, this tree has been down a while, I wouldn't say it was a quality tree as in massive in girth, I got a couple of logs out of it that individually I could fit in the back seats of my car if I had to. I was thinking it would be good wood for making smaller items like jewelry boxes and the like. I've got another two that will need to come down and they have succumbed this year to what appears to be dutch elm also. Would like to make something out of them for sentimental reasons, seems a shame to burn it all.

 

[Googleheimer]

furryboots in Aberdeenshire?? it's a big county!

Oot in the sticks pal, winna give ye the exact location but lets say a 15 mile radius of Inverurie heading north :wink:

 

[kevinlightfoot]

Elm is a pain to burn anyway !

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Hello and welcome to the forum. It might seem like a daft response but given you want to use the tree because of its provenance (you called it sentimental reasons) which I assume to mean because it's on your land, also you will be harvesting smaller pieces due to milling restrictions and general trunk size......why not use this opportunity to buy a lathe and turn some heirloom style decorative items like a bowl, platter or pair of candlesticks etc?

Elm turns beautifully and it handles all the other problems. Apart from anything else, it's a creative and absorbing Hobby

Just a thought....