I cut up some oak (don't know which variety) from the local city tree dump site. About 10 to 16 inch diameter pieces. There were occasional black spots, like spray paint dots, about 1 to 1.5 inch diameter on the cut faces I made, usually about 2 to 4 inches from the bark surface. Did some autopsy either direction and they seemed from 2 to 6 inches long (up and down the tree), and no lead or metal indicated. Part of the tree had oak wilt, but wood was green and there was good bark on the pieces with the black spots.
Good firewood, but I am really curious: what causes the black areas?
Good firewood, but I am really curious: what causes the black areas?