pros and cons of elm trees

Use along streets and in large yards. They naturally repel any kind of bacteria and fungi, and that makes them better than most woods. Some also have resistance to other diseases and pests that trouble elms. Copyright Gardenerdy & Buzzle.com, Inc. Common Uses: Boxes, baskets, furniture, hockey sticks, veneer, wood pulp, and papermaking. He grew up across the street from a park arboretum and has a lifelong passion for gardening in general and trees in particular. Odor: Elm woods are known to have an unpleasant smell or odor. That makes them take stains very easily and any dyes with fine definition. Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) On the other hand, if you have space for a larger tree, you might desire one of the following: Do's and Don'ts For Shade Trees I ou HAVE MOVED into a new home, and begin discussing with your husband or wife the need for several shade trees. This is also the reason why many prefer elm wood for making furniture. Here are 11 trees to consider. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Iowa State Extension describes the American elm tree as "probably the perfect street tree." What Is A Lacebark Pine: Learn About Lacebark Pine Trees, Growing Elm Trees: Learn About Elm Trees In The Landscape, Dutch Elm Protection - Is There Treatment For Dutch Elm Disease, Tips For Repotting Bird Of Paradise Plants, Tips For Repotting Fiddle Leaf Fig Plants, Fusarium Cactus Diseases: Signs Of Fusarium Rot In Cactus, Hibiscus Leaf Drop: Why Are Hibiscus Leaves Falling Off, Common Diseases Of Banana: What Causes Black Spots On Banana Fruit, Is Chocolate Vine Invasive: Getting Rid Of Chocolate Vine In Gardens, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Although elm wood is known as soft hardwood, it is very tough. Adapt easily to extremes in soil pH, moisture, heat, and wind. That gives a very unique and aesthetic appearance to the wood, and the coarse texture makes the wood very conveniently stainable and adaptable to any kind of dyes. Here are some helpful tips for landscaping around a tree. They can be lighter tan color to off-white or greyish-white color. This variety has excellent resistance to Dutch elm disease, a vase-shaped habit, and is a cultivar of the American elm. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Workers find it very hard and time-consuming. This is an Asian hybrid that grows 50 to 60 feet high and 30 to 40 feet wide with an upright to vase-shaped form. Fast Growing Trees says that American elm growth rate is as fast as 3 to 6 feet each year. This plant is a cultivar of a species that is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm's Plants of the Chicago Region , with . While it has good burning and smoking qualities, it is very hard to split. Zelkova trees have dense foliage and flowers in spring and summer. They can be easily made, and the outcome is always productive. Norway maple (Acer platanoides) was overplanted in the 60s as a street tree when Dutch elm disease decimated the American elm population. It also emits a strong, unpleasant odor when it is green. Chinese elm may grow in either full sun or light shade. These trees put on a spectacular show each year, with leaves changing to shades of orange, red, and yellow. It is a complex hybrid, that is fast-growing, vigorous, easily established, and tolerant of urban conditions. Because the American elm tree grew well in so many different areas, many cities planted them as street trees. Not all these trees have the characteristic vase- or fountain-shaped arching branch structure of the beloved American elm, but some come close. They grow well in urban environments, and they dont need too much attention. The last elm on this list is Wych elm which is also known as Scots elm. Elm tree wood tends to be strong, durable, and resistant to weather and rot, even when submerged in water for long periods of time. It has large leaves and is extremely tolerant of drought and of cold. That can make it a little hard and uncomfortable for the user. Although lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) is native to Asia, it was introduced to the United States in 1794. All the cultivars listed here have been selected to be relatively resistant to Dutch elm disease, but they have varying resistance to other diseases and pests.. That makes it a bad choice for using outside. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Before deciding the varieties and locations of the trees, make sure you have enough knowledge about the varieties you are going to plant. Its also prone to wind damage, disease and drought. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. But its interlocking and twisted grain patterns and texture mainly add to its value and worth. Even after the prevalence of the Dutch Elm Disease, elm wood is quite valuable for the price and its productive properties. High-bred varieties have a short lifespan, and die at the age of 25-35 years. Customer Reviews. So, these reasons indicate that elm wood is ideal for making good furniture. 2. This tree has very good resistance to Dutch elm disease but moderate susceptibility to insect problems, notably elm leaf beetle, Japanese beetle, and gypsy moth. Then the trees sprout into thickets that crowd out other plants. It is a fast grower with good Dutch elm disease resistance. In addition to pulpwood, you can also use elm for papermaking. Elm trees are known for their tall trunks and their oval-shaped leaves. It has gray bark with orange markings, small leaves, and reddish-purple fall color. Their roots sprout fast and tend to encompass a major area around the house. Making wooden baskets out of elm seems like a good idea. Try these 13 creative driveway landscaping ideas. Mulberry (Morus spp.) However, you can still make small boxes for short-term use. Theyre beautiful trees that provide year-round interest and require little maintenance. It might exist invasive. A University of Wisconsin introduction. . This is not good wood for furniture such as mahogany, teak, oak, maple, walnut, and others. Since they are light and soft in nature, they are very easy to work with, and their bending qualities also provide workers the convenience to form different and unique objects with them. Although it is a popularly used wood, like any other wood, elm wood also has its own pros and cons. As a result, this tree is often a pest and considered invasive in some areas. Moderately priced: Elm prices are in the moderate range. But in European states, the price still remains average and not very high. Elm wood is usually moderately priced. Russian olive (Eleagnus angustifolia) is tough. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This tree grows to at least 45 feet high and 25 feet wide with a vase shape. Because of its extensive root system, your zelkova tree should be planted at least 15 feet away from any buildings or driveways. It is a strong, resilient, upright tree that expands rapidly to 40 to 60 feet in height and width and is simple to transplant. The hardest firewood to split, at least in my opinion, is elm, sweetgum and cotton wood. If you have a Chinese Elm Bonsai inside, you can move it outside during the summertime. Here are some helpful tips for landscaping around a tree. Additionally, lacebark is considered to be invasive in some areas of the eastern and southwestern United States. This tree has waxy, lustrous leaves and a vigorous upright shape. Since the disease first began mowing down American elms in the 1930s, scientists and breeders have been developing alternatives. Further, teak wood is excellent rot-resistant wood and does not damage easily because of decay. Join in The Morton Arboretum's mission to plant and protect trees for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. One of the most common street trees is also one of the easiest to grow: the zelkova tree. Its tough, quick growing and has beautiful fall color. If you're looking for a tree that can handle city life, zelkova trees are your best bet. Also known as the corked elm or Wahoo elm, the tree is often used as a shade tree or street tree. 5 What are the pros and cons of elm wood? We think the price Its going to get cheaper if the elm population gets abundant. Generally, elm cultivars prefer sun. All the cultivars listed here have been selected to be relatively resistant to. This small elm tree has a vase-shaped, spreading canopy, grows 35 feet high and 25 feet wide. The black walnut tree fills its roots, buds, leaves, and the stem with the juglone toxin to create a suitable environment for its growth. These trees then start turning yellow and die eventually. Not much is different from the elm, especially its properties. Homeowners quickly found out that the Lombardy poplar had a limited shelf life of about 15 years, thanks to an all-too-common canker disease. Chinese elm tree Pros. Elm Wood: Hard and Soft. However, careful training and staking when the tree is young will get your lacebark elm off to a good start. Use as a specimen or in groups for streets, parks, and large yards. However, due to this characteristic, the cottonwood tends to rot very easily and quickly. Finally, a common health risk is skin and eye irritation. Further, elm wood nails and screws well without any trouble. Black Locust (Robinia psuedoacacia) is a fast-growing hardwood tree with fragrant white flowers. Looking for plants that help repel insects? The tree is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, and will grow in poor, salty soils as well as fertile, rich soils. The wood comes with the natural interlocked pattern that makes it highly resistant to the splitting. The Chinese Elm can typically withstand some frost, though this varies according to the place from wherever it was brought. That is one of the main advantages of elm wood. It is considered softer than other hardwood, thus known as soft hardwood. The reaction can be stopped by taking an antihistamine. Want some alternatives with great fall color? Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)is an imported pest that is dirty, messy, invasive and just not suited to home landscapes. As such, population control is required to prevent these trees from overpopulation. On the other hand, teak wood is also a hardwood, but it is a tropical hardwood species that belongs to the plant family Lamiaceae. The fruit stains everything it comes in contact with. To support such a large tree, the elm's root system is wide and extensive, but it's shallow. Theyre also drought-tolerant and adaptable, so they can handle the heat of summer and cold winters. Its leaves emerge orange-red and mature to green and turn to yellow in the fall. The Princeton elm exhibits good resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED) and demonstrates resistance to elm beetles as well. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is the ugly duckling of the maple family. It has a prominent interlocked grain pattern that makes the wood naturally good-looking and aesthetic. They can take any type of stain or dye and provide a clean touch. It seems like you dont need to think about making large furniture. Some species have leaves with a rough side, others have leaves that are velvety on both sides, and most (but not all) elm tree bark is rough. Elm Vs Oak - Pros And Cons. It is happy in prairies, meadows, or home gardens. And, each type of wood has its . The Dutch elm distribution is European, with a tree 80-115 feet tall. Unlike Siberian elm, lacebark is not considered to be a trash tree. Also, it is reportedly seen that most living elm trees are vulnerable to the Dutch elm disease. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The elm bark beetle dwells on the elm tree, thereby infecting it with the Dutch Elm Disease due to bacterial growth in the wood.