Tree Identification

[bighank]

New to this forum and wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. I would like to be able to identify different types of trees for firewood cutting and honestly I cant tell one from another. Is there a resource anyone can point me to

 

[larman]

http://www.forestry.umn.edu/extension/forest/firewoodID.html\
try this site larry

 

[danrclem]

Here's a good one.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/DENDROLOGY/factsheets.cfm

 

[Dan_IN_MN]

Both the above links are broken

Both the above links are broken

 

[TreePointer]

I learned to ID trees in Boy Scouts mostly by leaves and some by bark. The easy way is to ID them with leaves and make mental notes of bark, shape, and other characteristics at the same time. Return to those same trees when the leaves are gone to get a better look at bark, shape/silhouettes, etc.

You're in MD, so get a book like this: National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region. It has color photos of leaves, bark, buds, flowers, fruit, etc., and good descriptions. Its a good field guide for those who already know basics like the difference between white oak, sugar maple, and American elm leaves.

Experience: When you start cutting, you will learn to differentiate by smell, end grain, long grain, color, log weight, hardness, and other wood characteristics. Splitting wood gives a few more clues, too.

Also try google searches for online ID resources:
TREES OF MARYLAND
TREES OF EASTERN UNITED STATES

Some good ones for our region:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/commontr/
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/factsheets.cfm
http://plants.usda.gov/index.html (search w/common or scientific names)

Google earch using name of a tree species, and you'll get a lot of info, too!

 

[November Wolf]

I have a book called The Audubon Society Field Guide To North American Trees

Its a very good book and is probably what you are looking for. My dad used it when he worked for Detroit Edision for neighborhood line clearance.

Here is a link.

http://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-American-Trees-E/dp/0394507606

 

[AIM]

Kind of a neat site but ya need leaves.
http://www.oplin.lib.oh.us/tree/index.html

 

[bighank]

Thank ya'll I appreciate the help

 

[PA. Woodsman]

I have a book called The Audubon Society Field Guide To North American Trees

Its a very good book and is probably what you are looking for. My dad used it when he worked for Detroit Edision for neighbor line clearance.

Here is a link.

http://www.amazon.com/National-Audubon-Society-American-Trees-E/dp/0394507606

Excellent guide for us firewood nuts!

 

[clawmute]

Every state has a multitude of sources for information on tree identification & etc. Usually every state has at least one author that has written a book "trees of (your state)" Trees of Arkansas is one of the ones I use. Several field guides, including ones previously named, are also helpful. After you get into it it is very intriguing to try and identify a tree, since many times they look very different that photos in the books. Especially since they often hybridize!

When I started heating with wood again last year I was forced to remember many forgotten tree ID lessons and had to relearn finding Ash trees in the dead of winter. After awile you will begin to recognize the form of a certain tree and identify it with confidence.

In your state - Maryland I assume, try one or more of these:

DNR Forest Service
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/



This is the website for the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. It provides a wealth of information about Forestry and the Forest Resources in the State of Maryland.


Maryland Forests Association

http://www.mdforests.org/



The MFA web site is your tool to learn about issues concerning forest land, forest management, the forest community, and the forest products industry in Maryland. MFA was incorporated in 1976 and is a statewide, non profit, 501(c) (3) organization. Members are forest landowners, foresters and other natural resource professionals, hunt clubs and recreational groups, logging and trucking companies, the forest products industries, related businesses and individuals concerned about the wise-use of our forest resources. The mission of MFA is "to promote the maintenance of a healthy and productive forests land base so as to enhance the economic, environmental, and social well-being of all who live in Maryland."



Forestry Board Association

http://www.mdforest.sailorsite.net/



Maryland's Forest Conservancy District Boards have been working to perpetuate Maryland's forest resource for more than 50 years. As volunteer advocates for forestry, Forestry Board members focus their attention on Maryland's trees and forests...our renewable natural resource. The primary goals of the State Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards are to increase public awareness of environmental concerns and good forestry practices; to assure that board members stay informed of new forestry programs and practices; and to coordinate activities of Boards in promoting good forest management through the legislative process.


Garrett State Forest

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/garrett.html

This is the website for the Garrett State Forest which contains a diversity of trees, abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. In 1906 this forest was given to the state of Maryland and was the beginning of our present public lands system in the state of Maryland. Mountain forests, streams and valleys make up the 8,000 acres in Garrett State Forest in Garrett County.


Potomac State Forest



http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/potomacforest.html


This is the website for the Potomac State Forest. There are 11,461 acres situated between the towns of Oakland and Westernport and partially bordering the Potomac River, is reached from Maryland Routes 135 and 560. Mountain forests, streams and valleys make up nearly 12,000 acres in Potomac State Forest. The forest drains into the Potomac River Basin, and features the highest point in any Maryland state forest – Backbone Mountain, elevation 3,220 feet.




Savage River State Forest

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/savageriver.html


This is the website for the Savage River State Forest. There are over 54,000 acres in the Savage River State Forest. It is the largest state forest in the Maryland state forest system. It preserves a strategic watershed in Garrett County. Trail maps are available at the forest office, for all trails, including the 10 miles of cross country ski trails. The forest is classified as a mixed hardwood forest. More than 12,000 acres of the forest has been designated as Wildlands.


An American Elm on our place. Several giants exist away from urban areas where they have been shielded from the blight.

Have fun learning to put names on them - then learn the latin names.


Frank.....

 

[J.W Younger]

Every state has a multitude of sources for information on tree identification & etc. Usually every state has at least one author that has written a book "trees of (your state)" Trees of Arkansas is one of the ones I use. Several field guides, including ones previously named, are also helpful. After you get into it it is very intriguing to try and identify a tree, since many times they look very different that photos in the books. Especially since they often hybridize!

When I started heating with wood again last year I was forced to remember many forgotten tree ID lessons and had to relearn finding Ash trees in the dead of winter. After awile you will begin to recognize the form of a certain tree and identify it with confidence.

In your state - Maryland I assume, try one or more of these:

DNR Forest Service
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/



This is the website for the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. It provides a wealth of information about Forestry and the Forest Resources in the State of Maryland.


Maryland Forests Association

http://www.mdforests.org/



The MFA web site is your tool to learn about issues concerning forest land, forest management, the forest community, and the forest products industry in Maryland. MFA was incorporated in 1976 and is a statewide, non profit, 501(c) (3) organization. Members are forest landowners, foresters and other natural resource professionals, hunt clubs and recreational groups, logging and trucking companies, the forest products industries, related businesses and individuals concerned about the wise-use of our forest resources. The mission of MFA is "to promote the maintenance of a healthy and productive forests land base so as to enhance the economic, environmental, and social well-being of all who live in Maryland."



Forestry Board Association

http://www.mdforest.sailorsite.net/



Maryland's Forest Conservancy District Boards have been working to perpetuate Maryland's forest resource for more than 50 years. As volunteer advocates for forestry, Forestry Board members focus their attention on Maryland's trees and forests...our renewable natural resource. The primary goals of the State Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards are to increase public awareness of environmental concerns and good forestry practices; to assure that board members stay informed of new forestry programs and practices; and to coordinate activities of Boards in promoting good forest management through the legislative process.


Garrett State Forest

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/garrett.html

This is the website for the Garrett State Forest which contains a diversity of trees, abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. In 1906 this forest was given to the state of Maryland and was the beginning of our present public lands system in the state of Maryland. Mountain forests, streams and valleys make up the 8,000 acres in Garrett State Forest in Garrett County.


Potomac State Forest



http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/potomacforest.html


This is the website for the Potomac State Forest. There are 11,461 acres situated between the towns of Oakland and Westernport and partially bordering the Potomac River, is reached from Maryland Routes 135 and 560. Mountain forests, streams and valleys make up nearly 12,000 acres in Potomac State Forest. The forest drains into the Potomac River Basin, and features the highest point in any Maryland state forest – Backbone Mountain, elevation 3,220 feet.




Savage River State Forest

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/savageriver.html


This is the website for the Savage River State Forest. There are over 54,000 acres in the Savage River State Forest. It is the largest state forest in the Maryland state forest system. It preserves a strategic watershed in Garrett County. Trail maps are available at the forest office, for all trails, including the 10 miles of cross country ski trails. The forest is classified as a mixed hardwood forest. More than 12,000 acres of the forest has been designated as Wildlands.


An American Elm on our place. Several giants exist away from urban areas where they have been shielded from the blight.

Have fun learning to put names on them - then learn the latin names.


Frank.....

good post was,going to try and help him but you pretty much covered it

 

[TreePointer]

Don't forget the Winter Tree Finder for identifying trees without their leaves.

 

[tballard]

Hey Big Hank. Where are you in MD? I'm a MD licensed tree expert and a certified arborist. Tree ID was a pretty big part of getting both of these titles and I agree that the Audobahn books are the best. Just spend some time in the woods (or at the park) with the book and you'll get the hang of it. If you're anywhere near annapolis, the St. Johns College Campus has some fantastic specimens.

 

[johnnylabguy]

Thanks for the great info guys! I picked up the guide November Wolf had in his link. I've been wanting to get one of these for a while and wanted to know of a good one. It would be nice to have a Tree ID links page on this site but for now I'll just save this thread in my Favorites!

 

[JeffandTamara]

Anyone want to take a guess?

This tree fell over in the hayfield behind my house, I had to cut it up... It was a fairly big tree. It had about four main shoots coming up at the base, each shoot was about 16" dia. The tree made about 3 pickup truck loads before split. It seems to split fairly easy. Also it seems to be a little lighter than oak or hickory or other good firewood. A little bit of a smell, almost like sasafrass, but I am not even a tree guy so, I am lost... I cut it up for firewood and by next fall, it should burn, but I was curious what kind of wood I had... Any help is appreciated.

 

[TreePointer]

This tree fell over in the hayfield behind my house, I had to cut it up... It was a fairly big tree. It had about four main shoots coming up at the base, each shoot was about 16" dia. The tree made about 3 pickup truck loads before split. It seems to split fairly easy. Also it seems to be a little lighter than oak or hickory or other good firewood. A little bit of a smell, almost like sasafrass, but I am not even a tree guy so, I am lost... I cut it up for firewood and by next fall, it should burn, but I was curious what kind of wood I had... Any help is appreciated.

Try starting a "New Thread" in this Firewood forum. You'll get more attention than burying it here.