CROWN EUROPEAN ELM

Also known as: Common Elm, English Elm, Dutch Elm, Wych Elm

Botanical Name: Ulmus procera, U. glabra and others

Origin: U.K. and mainland Europe

Description: Occasional logs of European Elm can still be found despite the scourge of Dutch Elm disease, first noticed around ninety-odd years ago and which has decimated most mature Elm trees. The disease was at its most virulent during the 1970’s during which time it is estimated to have killed around twenty million Elms. There are however still some areas of the country that remain disease free. Lightish yellowy-brown to darker pinky-brown in colour and with a distinctive earthy smell, Elm has a real “woody” look to it. Normally flat cut to produce as much crown material as possible, the individual logs can vary considerably in appearance with some displaying an orthodox cathedral structure and others being more wild-grained. Elm burr and cluster veneer is also available, although not plentiful in good quality. The colour may be a light pinky-brown when sliced from trees that were felled whilst alive, down to dark, dull brown which is typical of trees that have previously died. Often the lighter coloured veneer will contain some olive green crystal-like deposits which usually colour down when pressed and polished.