Hi what's up! I am wondering how do you identify the type of wood or tree? A friend of mine works construction and used to cut firewood. On occassion he comes accross trees that he takes down in the course of work. He turns me on to it because he knows I love to smoke meat often and I keep different types of chunks on hand for different flavors. So far the only wood I've mastered in identifying is pecan. Of course its easier to identify a tree when its standing but I can tell pecan just by the texture of the bark.
I know most pros can identify wood by experience, but there seems to be some discrepancy with this. Recently, I picked up a few logs of what my friend said was Hickory. When I got is home and started hacking it up, my neighbor who used to grind stumps said it was definitely not Hickory and that it looked like an oak - Red or White oak he thinks but can't tell. I too am doubting its Hickory because I lit some on fire and it didn't smell like Hickory; plus there's a Hickory tree in the woods by my house that I get Hickory nuts off of and the Hickory bark looks darker than this stuff. And last year I thought I had some genuine Red oak and had it half way cut up when I had an arborist come look at taking a tree down. He noticed my handy work and asked why I was working so hard on that Cotton wood He got a ood laugh. Maybe he was jealous because I really did have some Red Oak. But I think he was right and I threw it all in the woods and it did degrade awefully fast for Red Oak.
Anyhow, my friend means well I do have faith in him, but who do I believe? Everybody is an expert but me! I live in northwest Louisiana to give you an idea of the wood types near me. What do ya'll recommend to me? Is there a book or a place on the net with pictures and info?? Help
I know most pros can identify wood by experience, but there seems to be some discrepancy with this. Recently, I picked up a few logs of what my friend said was Hickory. When I got is home and started hacking it up, my neighbor who used to grind stumps said it was definitely not Hickory and that it looked like an oak - Red or White oak he thinks but can't tell. I too am doubting its Hickory because I lit some on fire and it didn't smell like Hickory; plus there's a Hickory tree in the woods by my house that I get Hickory nuts off of and the Hickory bark looks darker than this stuff. And last year I thought I had some genuine Red oak and had it half way cut up when I had an arborist come look at taking a tree down. He noticed my handy work and asked why I was working so hard on that Cotton wood He got a ood laugh. Maybe he was jealous because I really did have some Red Oak. But I think he was right and I threw it all in the woods and it did degrade awefully fast for Red Oak.
Anyhow, my friend means well I do have faith in him, but who do I believe? Everybody is an expert but me! I live in northwest Louisiana to give you an idea of the wood types near me. What do ya'll recommend to me? Is there a book or a place on the net with pictures and info?? Help