Planting Elm Trees

The other day I finished reading this rather excellent book called "Barn Club" about a community project building an elm framed barn using traditional methods. 

 

One thing that really struck me was how there was still lots of elm trees about if you knew where to look. Not that they get to a good size anymore, unless in a pocket that never got seriously affected by the disease, but there are still some that get to useful timber size. Also how much this timber used to be used. Many of the old carpentry books I've got talk about it's uses, from water pipes to coffins to the hubs of wheels! 

There have also been some steps forward in the elm trees, I did a little investigating and came across a guy on twitter selling the elms that have have been developed by the Spanish government called Ademuz. These are said to be more resistant to Dutch elm  disease so I'm hoping that is true. 

I planted two here, in a place where they could both grow on and upwards. Hopefully my grandchildren can sit in their shade one day!

I also planted two at my brothers - he's just had a hedge put in at the same time as mine - hopefully he can spot them in amongst all the other trees! 

It's interesting, they say they used to plant strips of elm 5 yards wide to harvest useable timber from it, makes me think of agroforestry, if we had another field I'd love to try it out! 

Anyone else planted an elm tree lately? Ever used the timber?