Help me identify this wood

[BuckNasty]

I scored some free wood at a construction site that has recently been cleared. I got a truckload and there’s a lot more to be had if I go back... I am not sure what kind of wood it is. There are two types of wood I got.... The wood in the first picture I have no clue what species it is, it has very rough bark that is orange below the surface, and very light wood with a an almost greenish tint. The wood in the second picture I think is black cherry. Any of you tree experts know? I am in Rhode Island.

 

[milkman]

First one is sassafras, second one looks like cherry.

 

[stumpy75]

I agree that the 1st pic looks like sassafras. Break off a piece of bark and smell it. Even several year old bark will still smell like root beer.

The second pic looks like maybe box elder to me.

Edit: Just looked at the pieces in the truck, and zoomed in on it. The second pic is cherry, if that's what is the upright piece on the left side of the truck. The different perspective in that pic shows the plate like bark of cherry.

 

[BuckNasty]

Aha... sassafras. I did notice a peculiar smell when I was cutting it up. Thanks for the help!

 

[BuckNasty]

I agree that the 1st pic looks like sassafras. Break off a piece of bark and smell it. Even several year old bark will still smell like root beer.

The second pic looks like maybe box elder to me.

Edit: Just looked at the pieces in the truck, and zoomed in on it. The second pic is cherry, if that's what is the upright piece on the left side of the truck. The different perspective in that pic shows the plate like bark of cherry.

Yes I was pretty sure that the other wood was black cherry. We have tons of it around here. The sassafras had me stumped though.... haha. I know what the leaves look like but never really saw a mature tree like this...most of the ones I see in the woods are young saplings.... this one has a 24” trunk.

 

[stumpy75]

The sassafras had me stumped though.... haha. I know what the leaves look like but never really saw a mature tree like this...most of the ones I see in the woods are young saplings.... this one has a 24” trunk.

Sassafras grows pretty big around here, especially in the sandy loam soils of the ancient beach areas of Lake Erie(called the Oak Openings area). Some of the largest in the state(including the state champion) used to be in my county(and still are). A new champion was found just east of me a few years ago. DBH of the champion and of the next three are 60-65"! A blowdown from a neighbors back yard a few years ago was 28"...

 

[Wood Doctor]

Not sure what it is, but all the pieces are buck cut too short for me to sell for firewood after they get split. I don't have enough customers with potbelly caboose stoves from trains.

 

[lone wolf]

First one is sassafras, second one looks like cherry.

Exactly!

 

[buzz sawyer]

Sassafras pops a lot due to the oils. I think it also gives off a greenish blue frame.

 

[lone wolf]

Sassafras pops a lot due to the oils. I think it also gives off a greenish blue frame.

You cant miss it it smells like birch beer or root beer when cut.

 

[BuckNasty]

Yup it’s sassafras in the first pic and black cherry in the second. I cut it up short like that because I have a small Morso stove.

 

[Wood Doctor]

One of my customers who always requests short chunks for his potbelly stove has decided not to buy any more this year, I collected and split two cords for him -- all good ash, oak, maple, mulberry, and locust. So, I'm burning them in my Federal Airtight 288 by placing some of them in the firebox end on end. The 288 can handle 25" logs.

I sometimes criss-cross (crib) stack the logs in the firebox for a really hot fire. So, his lost sales has been transformed into my gain.

 

[BuckNasty]

One of my customers who always requests short chunks for his potbelly stove has decided not to buy any more this year, I collected and split two cords for him -- all good ash, oak, maple, mulberry, and locust. So, I'm burning them in my Federal Airtight 288 by placing some of them in the firebox end on end. The 288 can handle 25" logs.

I sometimes criss-cross (crib) stack the logs in the firebox for a really hot fire. So, his lost sales has been transformed into my gain.

Yes it’s hard to find short fire wood for sale. It’s much easier to just cut logs myself to the length I need and split it... plenty of free wood to be had around here.

 

[Deleted member 117362]

Yes it’s hard to find short fire wood for sale. It’s much easier to just cut logs myself to the length I need and split it... plenty of free wood to be had around here.

Bowl turners may want some of that cherry.