Tree ID (Sorry, I'm sure these get asked a lot)

[bower4311]

These trees were cut recently in New York, any way to ID the trees based on these pictures? Or at least narrow it down? What can I do to ID it positively?

Thank you!

 

[JTM]

I guess white oak.

 

[Mad Professor]

Some better pictures of the bark and branches?

 

[bower4311]

 

[bower4311]

I'd have to get closer pictures of the bark and branches. I might go out today. I can also take picture of the branches. Would it help if I cut off a small piece, cut it to see the face grain, dry it in the microwave then sand it? Or something of the sorts. I was reading white oak trees typically leave some leaves on the branches through the winter but after our wind storm which maxed out with speeds of 80mph that could explain why I saw no leaves.

 

[abbott295]

A split or two could maybe help too. Looking like white oak is a good possibility.

 

[bower4311]

A split or two could maybe help too. Looking like white oak is a good possibility.

As in buck off a piece and split it?

 

[Mike Van]

If that tree isn't maple, i'd eat it -

 

[bower4311]

If that tree isn't maple, i'd eat it -

Any way to confirm that? Especially sugar vs silver.

 

[Mike Van]

With no leaves to go by, i'm going to say sugar maple - Any of the oaks, especially white have a pungent smell from 1/4 mile away, can't miss it. The close up shot of where you're sitting, the bark, the cut off limb, sugar maple.

 

[djones]

Top 7 pictures are Beech, blighted. Bark can be seen in top picture, bottom right.

 

[Mike Van]

I've never seen beech, blighted or not with a bark as rough as those pics.

 

[djones]

I've never seen beech, blighted or not with a bark as rough as those pics.

Come to my house, I'll show you a forest full. Look at the gray bark in the top picture bottom right corner. The logs that he's standing against might be Maple, but not beech

 

[bower4311]

http://imgur.com/a/7EDFq

There is an album for the one tree. I am nearly sure they're the same tree. Almost everything is identical. I care more about this one anyway. Click the link for the album. It had just rained here, so you can see a big difference in the color of the wood. I cut a 2" cookie, and took a sliver of it back with me. Not sure what exactly I should do with the wood but if someone lets me know if it can help with the end grain I'll mess with it.

 

[Mike Van]

sugar maple in that album

 

[Mad Professor]

I'm going with sugar maple too. That's what I thought when I first saw the end cut near the but end. Bark looks like maple.

 

[JTM]

With no leaves to go by, i'm going to say sugar maple - Any of the oaks, especially white have a pungent smell from 1/4 mile away, can't miss it. The close up shot of where you're sitting, the bark, the cut off limb, sugar maple.

I didn't think about the smell of white oak but you are definitely right. I had some logged on my property and you really can smell it from way off.

 

[bower4311]

sugar maple in that album

I feel like the buds don't look very similar to sugar maple I see online though.

 

[bower4311]

Also wouldn't there be sap running in the sugar maple this time of the year? Wouldn't we see some of it.

 

[5sticks]

Easiest way to tell if it is maple is opposite branching. Find a young (tip) branch with lateral offshoots. If they appear to grow in pairs directly opposite, then in the northeast, it will be either ash or maple 99% of time.
In terms of buds if you can see any, maples will be small red tips to large clusters of red buds.
Barks are usually last component I use in confirming an I.d. But I'd have to guess maple as well from what I see in the pics.