American Elm
Ulmus americana · Hardwood · North America
Properties
| Janka hardness | 830 lbf (3,692 N) |
|---|---|
| Average dried weight (est.) | 31 lb/ft³ (500 kg/m³) |
| Specific gravity | 0.50 |
| Modulus of rupture | 11,800 psi (81.4 MPa) |
| Modulus of elasticity | 1.34 million psi (9.24 GPa) |
| Crushing strength | 5,520 psi (38.1 MPa) |
| Shrinkage — radial | 4.2% |
| Shrinkage — tangential | 9.5% |
| Shrinkage — volumetric | 14.6% |
| Shrinkage T/R ratio | 2.3 |
Values at 12% moisture content, clear-wood averages. Source: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Wood Handbook FPL-GTR-282 (2021), Table 5–3b p. 5–9; shrinkage Table 4–3 p. 4–8.
American elm is a moderately heavy hardwood (specific gravity 0.50, Janka hardness 830 lbf) in the soft elm class, valued for high shock resistance and excellent bending qualities. Its lumber and veneer now go mostly into furniture and decorative panels.
Appearance & grain
The sapwood is nearly white. The heartwood is light brown, often tinged with red.
Workability
The Handbook credits American elm with excellent bending qualities, moderate hardness and stiffness, and high shock resistance. Those traits once made it a standard wood for boxes, baskets, slack cooperage, caskets, and vehicle components.
Common uses
- Furniture
- Decorative panels
- Veneer
Conservation: IUCN Red List: Endangered (checked 2026-10-24).
