Elm Firewood

Elm, including American, red and Siberian elm, gives respectable heat but has a reputation as the hardest common firewood to split. Dutch elm disease left many dead elms over the years, so it is often available.

Elm firewood at a glance

Heat per cord: 20.0 million BTU
Weight per cord: 3,000 lb (air-dried)
Ease of splitting: ●○○○○ 1 of 5
Seasoning time: 12 to 18 months
Smoke: Moderate
Sparks: Few
Coals: Good
Scent: Faint, can smell when green
Type: Hardwood
Common in (US): Midwest, Plains, Northeast, South

Also called: American elm, Siberian elm, Red elmHeat and weight are typical published figures for air-dried wood at about 20% moisture. Real loads vary with moisture, growing conditions and how the cord is stacked. Compare all species.

Splitting elm

Elm’s interlocking, stringy grain makes it very hard to split by hand. The pieces tend to tear rather than pop apart. A hydraulic splitter of 25 tons or more, a four-way wedge used with care, or splitting while frozen all help. Some people noodle large rounds with a chainsaw instead.

Seasoning elm

Elm holds a lot of water and needs 12 to 18 months after splitting to dry fully. Green elm can smell unpleasant when burned.

Burning elm

Once dry, elm burns well with moderate heat and good coals and little sparking.

Gear for elm

If most of your wood is elm, budget for a strong gas or vertical splitter. A small electric splitter or a maul will make for long, frustrating days.

Splitters and splitting tools

Chainsaws

Stoves, storage and moisture

Size the splitter for your elm with the log splitter tonnage calculator, and see how many cords a winter takes with the firewood cord calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is elm good firewood?

Once fully seasoned it is good firewood with moderate heat and decent coals. The challenge is splitting and drying it.

Why is elm so hard to split?

Its grain interlocks, so the fibers hold together and tear instead of separating cleanly. A powerful hydraulic splitter is the practical answer.

Is elm easier to split frozen?

Many people find frozen elm splits more cleanly. Dry elm is also easier than green.

Compare with similar woods

Cherry (20.4 million BTU per cord), Sycamore (19.5 million BTU per cord). Or see all 23 species side by side.