Wood Gloat / What kind of wood is this?

[Jason Christenson]

This morning I was out driving around, minding my own business, doing my job when I came upon a BIG stack of logs with a "Free Firewood" sign attached. I happily loaded four of them into the company vehicle I was driving (mini van) :rolleyes: , and after lunch I wrestled them through a window into my basement shop and sealed them with Anchor Seal.

Any idea what this stuff is?

[Frank Fusco]

Bark looks like some kind of pine.

[Ken Grunke]

Pictures are too small, and very grainy. Is the wood actually white like the pics show? maybe Holly?

[Jason Christenson]

Pictures are too small, and very grainy. Is the wood actually white like the pics show? maybe Holly?

No, the wood is not white, that is the anchor seal. I guess I resized the pictures to small. Here's the only one I didn't delete, a little bigger.

[Steve Clardy]

Hard to tell from the pics, but looks like Hackberry

[Ken Grunke]

I agree, Hackberry looks like a good bet with it's dark heartwood. It also has zig-zag end grain like Elm, viewed with a magnifying glass.
Being able to see the wood would help a lot. You oughta slice the logs lengthwise through the pith, they'd dry better with less chance of cracking. Better yet, rough-turn a bunch of it and try out some of the various drying methods turners are using--DNA, LDD, microwave, freezing, boiling, paper bagging, spin drying, dehumidification, etc.
In full log form like this it will take forever to dry if it doesn't check all over. Have fun!

[Curt Fuller]

We have a tree that grows around here that they call "Tree of Paradise". It looks a lot like that. But that's just a guess..

And welcome aboard Ken!

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

What Steve said. When you cut it, did it smell a little BAD? Is the wood as White as it looks? If so, it's HACKBERRY. Can look like woven fabric when turned.

Bruce

[Steve Clardy]

I blowed the pic up of the chunks lying on your bench.

Yep. Hackberry

[Jason Christenson]

The consensus appears to be....hackberry! We'll see how it looks when I get some turned.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I am with Steve on this one. Looks like hackberry.

[Mark Cothren]

I'm not arguing with you guys, but that bark doesn't look like any of the Hackberry trees around these parts.

[Richard Madison]

Jason,
Smaller limbs and trunks (to 6") of hackberry in this area have a relatively smooth bark with lots of distinct little bumps or chunks on it. The spalted hack can be way beautiful, esp. when enhanced with a bit of BLO. Might want to try that, but check it frequently as it spalts fast. Our hack also tends to have bugs in it (ugh!).
R. in M.

[Reed Gray]

I will second with Mark, the bark doesn't look like hackberry.
robo hippy

[Steve Clardy]

Hackberry does look different. different regions.

http://images.google.com/images?q=hackberry+bark&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images



This pic is what I'm used to, which looks like what is on his bench.

[Barry Stratton]

Looks like a terrific haul of quality free dunno wood - some of the best out there! Great gloat Jason.

[Mark Cothren]

Yep Steve, that's what I'm used to seeing on Hackberry around here... I guess my eyes just focus different on the pics. No biggie...:)

Whatever it "turns" out to be, it's free - which is my favorite flavor...:D

[Mike Ramsey]

Looks like "Fog" wood to me.....or Hackberry.

[Ken Grunke]

We have a tree that grows around here that they call "Tree of Paradise". It looks a lot like that. But that's just a guess..

And welcome aboard Ken!

Hey there, Curt, thanks!
Looks like you've been around here for a while :)

[Reed Gray]

I think that I have to agree with Mark, the bark doesn't look like any hackberry that I have seen. Not right for holly either. Possible for tree of heaven, but I haven't seen that many of them. The wood from it does have a strong smell, kind of reminded me of burning tires.
robo hippy

[Andy Hoyt]

Well, so far we have:
Free Firewood
Pine
Holly
Hackberry
Elm
Tree of Paradise
Dunno
Fog
Tree of HeavenBy virtue of the power vested in me as the most recent poster, I hereby deem it - Turning Wood.:D

[Ernie Nyvall]

And now we have pecan. Looks to me to have a dark center, and the bark just a wee bit flakey. I think it's pecan. The hackberry I've seen is white wood throughout and has flat bark between the hard knobby parts. Course it could be pignut... real close to pecan with a flatter bark.

[Richard Madison]

Steve Clardy's picture shows exactly what I meant by smooth bark with lumps on the outside, typical hackberry in this area.