Elm is one of many trees which inspire legends and lore. Romans are said to have dedicated the tree to the winged-foot god Mercury, while the ancient Greeks believed elms should be planted in tribute to heroes who died in battle.

Elm has traditionally been used to make coffins, with many also believing that the tree was responsible for creating a need for them. An old English saying "Elem hateth man . . . and waiteth" illustrates this. According to the legend, large limbs of elms had a tendency to snap, and because the trees are found in populated areas, could cause harm to the person walking underneath. The truth of the matter is that these days elm -- to man -- is the endangered species. There are some five species native to the United States and Canada. The commercially important species include American elm, slippery elm and rock elm.

The elm family are a beleaguered group due to the assault of a virulent disease known as Dutch elm disease. The disease is so-named because early studies were conducted in the Netherlands. Believed to have originated in Asia, Dutch elm disease is responsible for killing elms in Europe, Canada and the United States. The disease is caused by a fungus carried from tree to tree by the bark beetles. Spores of the fungi enter branches where the beetle have eaten the bark, and quickly spread through the springwood vessel. Trees can die in one season but more often it takes a few years.

For the supplies of elm that are healthy, the tree has always provided good lumber. In addition to coffins, uses include veneer, furniture, turnings and slack cooperage.

Rock elm has a mostly straight grained pattern. It has outstanding resistance to wear and is used for dock and wharf construction. Rock elm has also been used for the bent frames of small pleasure boats and stringers.

American elm's heartwood is a medium to light red-brown color, with the sapwood exhibiting a lighter color. American elm has a coarse texture and a straight to interlocked grain.

Timber works easily with hand and machine tools. Sawn surfaces can be woolly, but capable of finishing smoothly, Takes nails and screws well. American elm seasons well with medium shrinkage but is not particularly stable in service. Rock elm will check and twist in seasoning.