hardwood · Ulmus americana
American Elm wood properties
Also known as: white elm, soft elm, water elm.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Ulmus americana |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,340,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.56 |
| Density (approx) | 35 lb/ft³ (2.9 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 830 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 9.5% / 4.2% |
| Region | Eastern and Midwestern North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of American Elm weighs about 11.6 lb (roughly 35 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 830 lbf is harder than about 35% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: furniture, boxes, baskets, hockey sticks, veneer.
Durability: Non-durable; offers little defense, and insects attack it readily.
Workability: Interlocked grain causes tearout that complicates machining; stains, finishes, glues and steam-bends well.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to American Elm:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. American Elm is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table, so CT/CR are omitted. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.