Elm

Elm Hardwood Planks

Elm (Ulmus spp.) is a characterful British hardwood with warm golden-brown to reddish-brown tones and a wild, interlocked grain that produces beautiful natural figuring. Once one of Britain's most common trees before Dutch Elm Disease, Elm is now a prized and increasingly rare timber — each plank carrying a piece of British natural history. Its interlocked grain makes it exceptionally resistant to splitting, historically used for chair seats, wheel hubs, and coffins.

Key Characteristics

  • Colour: Warm golden-brown to reddish-brown with darker streaks
  • Grain: Interlocked and irregular, producing attractive natural figuring and a coarse texture
  • Hardness: Moderately hard — tough and resistant to splitting
  • Workability: Moderate — interlocked grain can cause tearout; finishes well with care

Common Uses

  • Furniture and statement pieces
  • Chair seats and Windsor chairs
  • Turned bowls and decorative items
  • Flooring and feature panelling

Elm from The Wood Room is a rare and characterful British timber. Each plank is unique — browse our stock and own a piece of Britain's woodland heritage.

Elm