"The wood of American elm is strong, split resistant and durable, and has been used for furniture, paneling, boat construction and crates. The fruits are important wildlife food, especially favored by ruffed grouse, quail and partridge."

http://floridata.com/ref/u/ulmu_ame.cfm

Numerous sites on Google about the use of elm boards in furniture making.

It's an NPR quiz, so, hey, give 'em some leverage, even with Dutch Elm Disease being problematical.

By the way, if anyone's ever in Richmond, do check out the Dooley Estate, free to the public, with some of the most splendiferous, living examples of American elms anybody has ever set eyes on.

Edit:In fact, close to a thousand hits of the use of Almus americana in furniture making on Google. Here's another:

http://newton.dep.anl.gov/natbltn/200-299/nb279.htm