What wood species is this? (in NC)

[Don Heppner]

Hi all, I'm looking for some help identifying this wood species. I live near Raleigh, North Carolina and the log came from a tree in my neighbor's yard. The grain is unlike any other wood I've worked with, with waves between the growth rings.

The slab in the photo is roughly 12 inches across at the middle (as is the cross section), the distance between growth rings in the cross section is between 1/2 and 1/4 of an inch. The wood starts off blond but the surface turns orange over time. It's hard wood, based on the time spent at the grinder (harder than cherry or maple).

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Mike Carlson]

It looks a lot like elm. Perhaps red Elm?

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Yes Elm wood, could be Siberian Elm, that is one Elm that is not affected by the Elm disease, where most other Elms have died already.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Yes Elm wood, could be Siberian Elm, that is one Elm that is not affected by the Elm disease, where most other Elms have died already.

Here are two Siberian Elm pieces.

 

[Adam Cottrill]

I agree with Leo and Mike - probably an elm. The pattern of wavy growth rings you reference is called "ulmiform". It is characteristic of elm and (hackberry) and is nicely shown as 'www' pattern in both the first and fourth pictures. The wood-database identifies three elm species as "hard elms" (Winged elm, cedar elm, and rock elm): https://www.wood-database.com/elm-wood-hard-and-soft/. Perhaps it is one of those. I am not sure if the range for any of these species includes North Carolina or if any of these species are planted for ornamental purposes.

Adam

 

[Brian Gustin]

Hmm Haven't turned or worked with Elm yet but I have heard it is supposed to have a strong, stinky smell to it?

 

[Lou Jacobs]

Last year a neighbor had a Zelkova tree cut down and I got several pieces. It is a Japanese elm variety. Has the same “w” or “z” shaped lines between the rings. It is quite beautiful but stunk like piss until it completely dried. My wife made me keep it out of the house. Now she won’t let me sell the bowls!

 

[Marc Banka]

Landscapers use Chinese Elm in our area, central NC. It’s nice wood, with buttressed bases, so make for unusual natural edge bowls. Winged Elm seems pretty common around here, too.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Of course there is a lot of confusion to what is Siberian Elm or Chinese Elm, the Siberian Elm is able to grow just about anywhere and has course bark while the Chines Elm does not grow at colder areas, and has a much more smooth bark, the reason the trees are also often called Lacebark Elm

I have turned a lot of Siberian Elm, I like the wood, and yes it has a distinct smell, as many woods do have there own smell.

Siberian Elm get seeds in the spring while Chinese Elm gets them in the fall

Here are two pictures of the typical bark of the Siberian and Chinese Elm bark on those trees.

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more info by others.

 

[Don Heppner]

Thanks for the help and information!