Just was wondering if anyone ever uses elm, that has been infected with the Dutch elm disease For salad bowls or other items, there is always elm's dieing in this area and it could be a good supply of wood for me.
Jim Sprague New Brunswick Canada
I've been turning quite a bit of it lately, I have a good supply also. It's a beautiful wood, and nice to turn.
I was concerned about issues regarding the disease, and asked a woodturning buddy who forwarded my query to a state forester. His reply is below. Doesn't seem to be reason for concern regarding end use of the wood, just for preventing the spread of DED to other elm trees in the field.
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Re: Question about Dutch Elm Disease from Stephen Wiley
The pathogen is a vascular wilting pathogen. Which means it will be in the water conducting tissues of the wood. Usually in the sapwood, current years growth and cambium. However, it can be carried into the xlyem from the roots.
It is commonly spread by two different elm beetles which bores through the bark and either digests or carries the spores to an uninfected plant.
Most sanitation measures are by eradication of all the wood / bark either by burning or burying.
The immediate removal of the bark and burning of the bark is the first important step in reducing beetle activity and reduction of optimum growing conditions for spores.
Probably your freinds interest in the wood is due to the brown staining of the vascular tissues by the disease. This is where the spores are produced from.
Most information about the disease eradication or sanitation is geared towards the prevention of beetle breeding or feeding .
I would think that the concern your friend would have here is being prudent in not causing further spread. If the wood was void of bark, dried for a couple of years, processed under controlled conditions, then sealed with a varnish. He may be able to get a few pieces without causing further spread.
Hopefully my answer has not confused you. To simplify, yes the fungal spores may be in the vascular tissues of the wood depending upon the age of the wood. But will only cause a problem if allowed to come into contact with a carrier.
May want to check with your state agriculture, department of resources or forestry offices for any regulations governing the handling of infected wood. May be able to do the work during the winter months to minimize contaminants.
Jim
I think Elm is one of the treasures of North America an dis such a shame that it is going extinct. If you have the supply do not waste it! Elm does not split like most ofhter woods - if you are going to try and split it withan axe and maul, it will take forever!
The wood grain is really cool too as it forms zig/zags between the growth rrings and when cut properly the zig/zags are quite vivid.
Enjoy!
Ray
Wish I'd been turning when we took down the 70' Siberian elm in the front yard some years back. Some of the crotches were huge, and when split the wood was beautiful and colorful. The root sections were amazing. It made several cords of firewood and almost wore out a logsplitter.
Max
Fortunately, there are a number of resistant strains available and prospering. Plus, as epidemiologists remind us, it's proximity that perpetuates, solitude stops.
To quote the governor - "I'll be back...."
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