Tree ID

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Anyone know of a good pictorial web site out there for tree identification? The easy way (leaf ID), isn't available in this case, as this batch of trees was felled last week, just before the leaves broke out. In fact, some of the maples on the ground have sprouted their leaves since falling, but the one I'm interested in clearly isn't a maple. Here's the details, if someone want to give it a shot:

1) ~40 years old; ~100 ft tall; ~16" diameter
2) Bark is deeply textured (too deep for Oak, I believe)
3) Wood is white
4) Branches at tree top have a greenish cast, and smallest branches are fairly thick (for new growth) and have a knotty appearance.

I'm looking to do some rough cut milling, hence the desire to figure out what I have here.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[murphy4trees]

Could it be a gum???
Get a pic posted if you can

 

[TreeJunkie]

Hackberry?
Post some pics..

 

[murphy4trees]

The fact that he mentioned the bark being too textured for oak leads me to think gum... there would be mo confusing hackberry and oak... though oak and gum look fairly similar... also the "knotty branches" sound like they could be gum too..

 

[TreeJunkie]

one reason i mention hackberry is b/c he mentioned the wood being white. textured bark, but that can mean alot of different things
Who knows>?

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I'll see if I can get some pics later today or over the weekend. One add'l data-point re: the bark, although more textured than what I typically see for Oak, it is less textured than Locust.

 

[NickfromWI]

I was thinking White Walnut/Butternut/Juglans cinerea but I've never seen one taller than 70'.

love
nick

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Originally posted by NickfromWI
I was thinking White Walnut/Butternut/Juglans cinerea but I've never seen one taller than 70'.

Upon further review, 100' may have been a bit optimistic, but the trunk goes for a good 50+ feet without branching. I've already cut the first 8 feet off. The only question is... Fire wood or lumber?

 

[TreeJunkie]

or garbage?

 

[Curtis James]

what do the buds look liike? That is how to tell. the leaf scale scars and the buds. Are the leaf buds alternate, opposite? Is the bark really deep? What about cotton wood?

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Originally posted by Curtis James
what do the buds look liike? That is how to tell. the leaf scale scars and the buds. Are the leaf buds alternate, opposite? Is the bark really deep? What about cotton wood?

Leaf buds are alternating. I compared the end-branches to an Ash tree, and they're very similar looking in texture and size, but the trunk bark seems too deep to be Ash. I broke a few branches off and stuck them in water, seeing if I can coax some leaves to break out. I'll still work on pictures.

 

[okietreedude1]

sounds somewhat like a cottonwood.

these have very deep bark, white wood, and can get tall.

might make good lumber for pallets or trailer decking, but not much else. STINKS (smells really bad) as firewood.

As for the website, you might check w/ the national arborday foundation. Ive looked at things there b4. the one thing i did wasnt that great, but it may be worth a look anyway.

 

[okietreedude1]

here's the info on the arborday foundation:

What Tree is That?
resources from the National Arbor Day Foundation for identifying trees in the Eastern, Central, and Western United States.

Category: Botany > Tree Identification
http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeID.html

 

[tawilson]

I've got basswood on my property that fits the descriptions you've given.

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

That link doesn't do me too much good, as it's primarily focused on identification by leaf. One additional data-point before I get to snap some pictures this weekend. The freshly cut wood is very neutral, with almost no scent. That's pretty much what convinced me it was NOT Oak.

 

[Climber2]

I vote Cottonwood also.


Mike

 

[trimmmed]

You said that you cut some of it, was it hard or soft. Might be an ash if hard, maybe a tulip or basswood if soft

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

It was pretty hard - I didn't go through it like butter, and my blade was reasonably sharp. I would have leaned towards Ash too, but the alternating buds mean that's not on the short list.

 

[Dadatwins]

Possibly Sugar Maple? Look around the ground for any signs of fruit like gum balls. Maple will have many new trees coming up around primary tree.

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Pics Inside! (finally)

Okay, finally got a chance to snap some pics today. The delay may have helped a bit, as the buds are a little further developed.