This is a bowl that I made from a dead American Elm tree that was blown down on a golf course. My son is the superintendent, and he called to see if I wanted a couple of pieces. This wood is the hardest wood I've worked with yet, it was like I was sanding steel instead of wood. I ended up 11.5" x 4". After roughing out and dna drying, it had severe cracks and I thought about throwing it out, but decided to try to save it. I used sanding dust to fill the cracks. I had to fill the cracks then tap the bowl against the ways to settle and then fill again. I must have done this 20 times or more before the cracks filled up completely, but I think it was worth it.