Tree ID

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Originally posted by TreeJunkie
Everyone here keeps saying it is cottonwood. That seems fine, except, the wood doesn't have a foul smell as does cottonwood, and the twigs look more like ash to me. Bark, could be either, but ash would be my guess.

Not one to give up until I'm sure, I'm beginning to wonder if you may be on to something here. Reason I say this is that the partially open new leaves look very similar to the ones on a nearby tree that I believe IS Ash. Still, the alternating vs. paired buds seems to take it out of Ash contention. Hmmmm....

 

[TreeJunkie]

I hear you there. I'm pretty torn on the subject? It's tough to tell. While cutting the wood, does it cut like a softwood or hardwood, this could help determine something. Cottonwood cuts like butter.

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Originally posted by TreeJunkie
I hear you there. I'm pretty torn on the subject? It's tough to tell. While cutting the wood, does it cut like a softwood or hardwood, this could help determine something. Cottonwood cuts like butter.

Yea, that's the other thing that had me scratching my head. This thing did NOT cut like butter, it was NOT dripping wet, and it had just about ZERO odor.

 

[Matt Follett]

Late to the plate here, but I throw in my 2c

Definately poplar, populus deltoides most likely but could be populus x canadensis Eastern cottonwood and Carolina poplar respectively. Carolina being a cross between P. deltoides and P. nirga

Anyway, no way it's ash or basswood, ash is as mentioned earlier opposite arrangement, and the twig and bud scars are far to large for any northern Tillia spp.

With regards to the odor, soil and health of plant can play a large role here, as can moisture content, I personally find the smell more intense in the summer when perhaps wood moisture content is down?

 

[glens]

I'd say it's either cottonwood or basswood, in that order; or maybe basswood or cottonwood, in <i>that</i> order.&nbsp; hahaha

A description or photo of the shape of the crown would have really helped.

Not that it really helps much in this case, a fairly good website for tree ID for the area is http://www.oplin.lib.oh.us/products/tree/

Glen

 

[Matt Follett]

Oh yeah and definitely not Tulip poplar Liriodendron tulipifera as the buds on this are covered with a fine bloom like velvet, which persists through leaf expansion, and are quite small perhaps 1/4-1/2 inch. As mentioned earlier Tulip is not a poplar at all but rather in the magnolia family thus sharing its bud resemblance to that of Saucer magnolia only smaller

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Originally posted by glens
I'd say it's either cottonwood or basswood, in that order; or maybe basswood or cottonwood, in <i>that</i> order.&nbsp; hahaha

A description or photo of the shape of the crown would have really helped.

Not that it really helps much in this case, a fairly good website for tree ID for the area is http://www.oplin.lib.oh.us/products/tree/

Glen

Good link Glen! This
link sealed the deal!!! I found another branch that had fruit just like is pictured here. Like most of you said, Let there be no doubt, it is Eastern Cottonwood.

 

[tawilson]

Here's the tree on my property that I was talking about earlier. It has a 50" dbh. The bark looks identical to the pic posted by DPDISXR4Ti. I believe it to be cottonwood after keeping up with this thread. According to the Audubon guide, basswood doesn't get this big. I thought I'd post this to show the crown of the tree. I am glad to know for certain what it is as it is about the biggest tree on my property and because of the location is very visible from the lake. Thanks again.

 

[Nickrosis]

Did you follow the link from glens? That crown looks just like cottonwood crowns that I've seen.

 

[tawilson]

I did and it does look like the crown in the link.

 

[tawilson]

Anyone care to estimate the age of my tree. This is property that has been in my family since around 1820 and I wonder which grandpappy was here when that tree took seed.

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Originally posted by tawilson
Anyone care to estimate the age of my tree. This is property that has been in my family since around 1820 and I wonder which grandpappy was here when that tree took seed.

Measure the diameter or circumference of the trunk. I can tell you that these things grow pretty big in a pretty big hurry. The one shown in the picture I posted was only about 40 years old.

I was sad to see that a couple days ago they took down the biggest Oak in the forest behind me. It was about 100 years old; born just as the Wright Brothers took flight....

 

[tawilson]

It has a 50" dbh. But, it is next to the lake in good soil, so it has probably grown as fast as they possibly can.