I have two of these trees on my lot planted by the previous owner. They are nice looking trees, but they are in bad locations.

This week we noticed they bark separating in long strips. Does this look like the freeze killed them?

Most likely yes

Looks like lightning hit it.

Troutslime said:

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Looks like lightning hit it.

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I thought the same thing, but these are two separate trees on opposite ends of the lot. Same damage. All my other trees are beginning to re-foliate except these.

I used to have three of these trees. Shortly after we bought the house I had one removed because it was too close to the house. It made nice shade, but 2/3 of the mass was leaning on the eaves. The previous owner planted a lot of trees, but many of them were poorly thought out.

I have had to trim some of these elms in the past. The wood is pretty hard. If you burn it, it pops a hell of a lot. They originated in Asia, and apparently they use the wood for tool handles due to the durability.

If I take them down myself is anyone interested in small pieces for decorative uses?

Lots of them planted around the Bush library.

If you have some pieces large enough to turn bowls out of, I'd like to have a piece or two

DatTallArchitect said:

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If you have some pieces large enough to turn bowls out of, I'd like to have a piece or two

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It is going to be a few weeks before I get to it, but I will try to make sure to save some. I am in San Antonio.

Lacebark, Drake, Asian Elm. I have one in my backyard. It always sheds bark in the spring, but mine has never lost bark in long strips like that. I'm in Richmond and we had a hard freeze. Mine is already budding out.

Mine doesn't look like this but it isn't budding out yet either. The red oak next to it is budding so I'm wondering if the freeze got mine. Will give it some time as I'm north of Fort Worth so maybe it's a little early yet.

FYI, Elm is great wood for longbows. I have several and have taken many deer with them.

Give it a little more time. We have 2 in our yard, 1 about half the size of the other. The smaller one started budding a couple weeks ago, we thought the larger lost to the freeze but this morning we found some very small buds starting on it.

DatTallArchitect said:

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If you have some pieces large enough to turn bowls out of, I'd like to have a piece or two

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I will probably start taking these trees down soon. If you are still interested, let me know. Do you want logs, crotches, or both?

(That's what SHE said)