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 Elm
Much of the furniture that currently comes from China is elm. The grain is tighter than the oaks but not as slick as a maple or cherry. Often the furniture is painted or laquered and the pores show through the finish.
The highest end use for the elm is when it produces a burl. This is like a wart on a tree and cannot be forced or coaxed, merely encountered. The tight, swirling patterns have always been regarded as exotic and beautiful and reserved for the highest quality furniture. The burl is usually sliced thinly, about 1/32" of an inch, and matched back and forth in patterns to cover larger areas. In the transportation age, private airplanes often demand the best stock, with gradings ranging from a-aa-aaa-presidential quality-aaaaa royal quality (Saudi sheiks, etc.)
The car industry has long favored burls for covering panels/dashes in the highest quality vehicles. Many older Rolls Royces and Jaguars used burls, often elm as their wood. The panels are matched side to side and front to back. Therefore to replace a damaged panel, usually a whole kit must be ordered. (one former Rolls employee told me the kits run about fifteen thousand dollars) We keep some veneer on paper backings for smaller projects and furniture repairs. We work with many veneer companies to special order anything you like for your private jet needs.
 Elm, Flat Cut Cedar Elm Elm Flooring from Terrell Heights Elm Burl Veneer, Backed
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