Elm splitting varies a lot. One tree for me was 100% noodle. Today I am splitting a 16" x 44' (cut to 19" rounds) main trunk bark free slippery elm by hand with a slim wedge and a sledge. Some splits are one single stroke of a 5 lb sledge. One possible cause for slippery elm splitting tough can be rock elm which can cross with slippery elm. Rock elm is 100% noodle and was used in the most stressed points of sailing ships because it does not split. A bark free slippery elm with an exterior radial crack is a good sign of easy splitting. A 100% bark free slippery elm without a single radial crack is noodle material (hopefully only 1/2 the diameter) but there are those 100% noodlers.
