What is this grain pattern called?

[howlingbaboon]

Hi guys,

I had the pleasure of green turning a lovely bit of Elm a couple of days ago. I thought it would be hard going given that it weighed an absolute ton but it was a real pleasure. Made this one with chunky walls! It has a nice zig zag looking patterns between some of the growth rings. Do you know what this kind of figure is called? Sorry pics aren't great, just phone jobbies.

Cheers
Dave

[Les Symonds]

That's a fairly normal grain pattern for elm.....when cut at a certain angle to the cells, it just looks like that!
Les

[bodrighywood]

You see it a lot on old chairs and Sunday school seats. Used to be the main wood for them.

Pete

[seventhdevil]

the "zig zag pattern" you describe is what's known as ulmiform comprise of bands of wavy late growth wood. it's normal for any species that has the same anatomical trait...

[howlingbaboon]

Cheers guys,

Is this pattern to do with Elm having interlocked grain then? Or is that a different kettle of fish? Which other native woods share this trait then. It was a nice surprise for me, as was the Elm log itself. I've only ever seen 2 elm trees and they were both on Skye so must have escaped the DED there.
Cheers
Dave

[seventhdevil]

interlocked grain is something completely different to how the grain looks...

other species that can have it are robinia, ash and laburnum but they are not always very pronounced and can be completely absent.