Wood ID?

[Jimfound]

Can someone help me identify this species.? The wood is mostly white with a dark brown heart. Very stringy as well. Got mixed in with some oak I was splitting and was much tougher to split than the oak. Thanks.

 

[aquan8tor]

My guess would be Elm. I think all we have here is slippery elm, (red elm same??). I haven't split it, but I've heard its pretty difficult; supposed to be good wood though.

 

[Wood Doctor]

My guess would be Elm. I think all we have here is slippery elm, (red elm same??). I haven't split it, but I've heard its pretty difficult; supposed to be good wood though.

Red elm has thicker bark than this. It might be some other variety of elm, but that first picture is indeed odd. I've never seen contrast like that. There are a bunch of elm varieties, so I don't rule that out. Hmmm...

 

[Jimfound]

could this possibly be sassafras? The dark heartwood has a pretty pungent smell to it. It doesn't smell anything like root beer (sassafras tea), but strong nonetheless. I do know it grows around here. Sorry no leaves as this tree was on the ground and already cut into rounds.

Any other takers? It doesn't make a difference to me what it is, just curious to find out. Thanks.

 

[KsWoodsMan]

The bark is saying Mullberry, to me. Thats no Elm that I have seen before.

Burn it like it was Oak.

 

[Joshlaugh]

I think sassafras is a good bet, too. To me, sassafras has bark that almost cris crosses like a x, similar to what you have. Also their is a lot of contrast from the sapwood to the heartwood, like your wood.

 

[dahmower]

That stringy sh*t is elm

not very pleasant to work with if u split it keep a hatchet close by!!

 

[PA Plumber]

1st guess is Aspen.
2nd would be Poplar.

Is it extremely light when dried?

 

[ran3465]

Id say red elm. Sassafrass bark has much deeper ridges, either way it will burn!

 

[Moss Man]

Basswood

 

[E&R_firewood]

looks like the cottonwood Salicaceae Populus deltoides found in these parts. . .can't know though

 

[firtree]

I cut and burned quite a bit of sassafras a couple of years ago and it looked
and smelled just like that. Had a slight smell when burning, but not unpleasant.
I would take more in a heartbeat.

 

[Andyshine77]

My guess is Bass wood, or another Poplar. It's definitely not Cottonwood however.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

I've never seen sassafras get that big, at least in The Valley...jimfound, where are you exactly in N. Va?...I think it's elm, but I did not stay at the Holiday Inn Express last nite....

opcorn:

 

[Chuck Diesel]

It looks to me like Hickory.

 

[brisawyer]

My money is on Hickory does it smell how heavy is it. Some hickory is stringy especilally if it was a leaner.

 

[Jimfound]

Hickory is sounding right. Below is a side-by-side to compare the bark. Mine is first and the second pick was labeled as mockernut hickory. Also the leaves of the mockernut. Looks pretty close?

To answer one question it is very heavy/dense and does have a strong smell. The woods in the area are mostly oak, hickory and poplar. Don't know why I didn't think hickory at first. Never cut my own before.

Also regarding the contrast in the heartwood, I found this:

Properties of Hickory Wood:
Hickory heartwood is tan or reddish brown with a sapwood that is white to cream. It is this extreme contrast between the heart and sapwood that makes it easy to differentiate from other wood species.

Thanks for all the guesses!

 

[KsWoodsMan]

Nothing wrong with burning Hickory. Especially if it's in the smoker.

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Yes you guys are on the mark with it being Hickory; I can see some fungus growing on the flush "cut" side which is what happens with Hickory as well as Oak for some reason. Great stuff-possibly Mockernut Hickory. Good ID job guys!

 

[Jimfound]

Yes you guys are on the mark with it being Hickory; I can see some fungus growing on the flush "cut" side which is what happens with Hickory as well as Oak for some reason. Great stuff-possibly Mockernut Hickory. Good ID job guys!

Thanks for the confirm PA - I'm pysched to have my own supply of hickory finally. I have big barbecue plans for this stuff!