TPirson Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 There was a great big old elm tree behind my family's home that was hit by dutch elm years ago and died probably 20 years ago. Over the years it's dropped all of its bark and most of the smaller limbs, but due to the size and safe distance from the house, it was never taken down. This past spring, the tree came down and within the last couple weeks, my dad started chopping it up. His plan was to just cart it off for outdoor firewood, but since there's already several years worth of junky poplar already split and stacked, I'm wondering if I or someone with more experience could do anything with what's left. The base of the trunk was pretty much turned to dust by termites, but I don't know how far up the tree they chewed. Basically, in general, is wood like this even any good to work with? It's taken the brunt of Buffalo winters and baked in the summers for close to (if not more than) 20 years. I don't work to far from their house, so if I get a chance today, I'll head over and take some photos of the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Check out http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/wood-species-2/elm/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 I fear there may not be much usable material left. Trees tend to rot from the inside out, so there is a chance it could be mostly hollow on the inside. The next issue is the termites. You will want to get the treated before even dreaming of using it any material from it. You will for sure want to run those pieces through a kiln if you do attempt anything with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPirson Posted September 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Thanks for the comments. I ran over during lunch and took a few photos. On the ground, it doesn't seem anywhere near the size it was standing. The solid pieces from near the base of the trunk are just over 2.5' wide. The majority of the termite damage is limited to the bottom of the tree. The pieces above that feel solid, if a little waterlogged from the wet summer we've had. Also, are the patches of color I'm seeing on the endgrain spalting? Well, just as I was about to hit post, my dad ended up calling me to say that he spoke with the neighbor who heats entirely with wood and may be wheeling it over in the next week or so. So if anything could be worth saving, I should grab it this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Didn't realize the trunk was already cut up. Not sure at this point how much usable wood you will be able to get out of it now, unless it is going to be used for turning, or a rustic table top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 get the chainsaw out and try to cut a few of those in to boards. if they don't work out then burn em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan S Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 Elm can be pretty, check out some of the examples here. http://hobbithouseinc.com/personal/woodpics/elm,%20american.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fricasseekid Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Is that a slight bit of spalting I see there? Serving dish maybe? There's gotta be something in that mess begging to be turned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krtwood Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 That's more than a slight bit of spalting, I don't think you'd want to let it go much further than that. I think you'd want to cut them in half lengthwise and seal up the ends if you want to use them for turning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted September 20, 2014 Report Share Posted September 20, 2014 Looks spalted and worm eaten. I would suggest cutting into turning blanks rather then boards. If it is smelted you will have hard and soft spots where the wood was eaten by the fungi and bugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isabellaperrier Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 You can reuse the part that has not been damaged by the termites and bugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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