Japanese Elm
Scientific name: Ulmus davidiana var. japonica
Overview
Japanese Elm, known in Japan as Harunire, is a deciduous elm with an established history as a furniture and veneer wood. It belongs to Ulmus davidiana but is recognized as a separate variety. The wood combines clearly marked growth rings with brown heartwood and paler sapwood; figured material can be especially decorative.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Japanese Elm
- Scientific Name: Ulmus davidiana var. japonica
- Family: Ulmaceae
- Native Range: Southern Siberia through eastern Asia to northern Myanmar and Japan
- Wood Type: Temperate hardwood
- Air-Dry Specific Gravity: 0.59 in the Japanese timber property table; values vary by source and specimen
- Janka Hardness: Reliable species-specific value not established
- Identification Note: Accepted variety of David Elm; also recorded as Ulmus japonica
Identification Characteristics
Botanical records distinguish this variety by dark bark and hairless samaras. In timber, ring porosity and coarse texture help recognize the elm group, while source-tree documentation is needed to confirm the variety.
Key identification traits include:
- Blackish bark and glabrous samaras in the Flora of China treatment.
- Dull brown heartwood contrasting with dull whitish sapwood.
- Large earlywood vessels form a clear ring on the end grain.
- Generally straight grain and coarse texture; trunk swellings may produce decorative figure.
Working Properties
Japanese timber information describes machining as relatively difficult and the finished surface as less smooth than some furniture woods. The wood can be bent, but decay durability is low. Sharp tools, careful surface preparation and trial finishing help establish a suitable process for the particular board.
- Use sharp cutters and trial cuts to check tearout, especially where grain changes direction.
- Seal fresh end grain and dry carefully; check for cracks and distortion.
- Acclimate before final sizing, and test glue joints and finishes on offcuts.
- Verify decay resistance before outdoor use; select sound, documented material.
Safety Note
Use effective dust extraction and suitable respiratory and eye protection when machining or sanding. Wood dust can irritate the skin and respiratory tract; stop work if a reaction develops.
Common Uses
Recorded uses include furniture, implements and vehicle components. Decorative veneer has also been used in faced plywood, with solid boards used for furniture.
- Furniture and interior components.
- Decorative veneer and plywood facing.
- Implements and traditional vehicle components.
- Figured wood specimens and comparative elm collections.
Sustainability & Notes
Confirm the botanical identity and provenance of timber sold as elm or nire. Ornamental cultivars and hybrids should be recorded accurately. Prefer documented supplies and authorized salvage, and observe local restrictions on moving elm logs or material that may carry pests.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Related Guides
- Elm Species Guide
- Understanding Interlocked vs Straight Grain
- Best Woods for Furniture Making
- Finishing Oils vs Polyurethane on Exotic Species
- Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Keep Harunire and Ulmus japonica as cross-reference names, alongside the accepted variety. Record source locality and whether material is ordinary straight-grained wood or figured stock. Photograph heartwood, sapwood and the end grain; do not infer Janka hardness from specific gravity alone.
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
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Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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