Sometimes called Rock Elm since the wood is heavy, hard, and tough. The wood is used for furniture and tool handles. The name Cork Elm comes from the irregular, thick, corky ridges on older branches. In habit and habitat it is very similar to American Elm, and is also susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease. It occurs infrequently in Indiana. I'm sorry to report that our specimen, located on the riverbank, fell into the river and washed away in March of 2010.