PA. Woodsman - 30 June 2008 04:07 PM

BeGreen - 30 June 2008 03:42 PM

Yes, the bark threw me too, that’s why I guessed a hickory at first. Was the tree dying or diseased? So far, the leaves and fruit seem to identify it as blue ash. If no man could check the stems for ID that would help confirm or disprove it. The four sided twig is what is unique and gives it its latin name, Fraxinus quadrangulata.

Here’s some more info on the tree:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/forestry/trees/ash_bl/tabid/5329/Default.aspx

Yes, now look at the picture of the bark here of Blue Ash and compare it to the first pictures posted in question; not even close in my eyes. Now go Google some pictures of Honeylocust and look at the “ridged strips” of bark and the color of the bark. I’m basing this solely on the bark-the leaves and fruit may vary from state to state, but I’d bet almost anything that it’s Honeylocust. I told him to take a piece to a local tree service or firewood dealer and ask them to settle this once and for all because I certainly want to know what it is! LOL…

PA Woodsman - be careful with the Bark ID.  Bark will vary greatly depending on the age of the tree where sometimes furrows turn to deep furrows in the course 5-10 years, where a 40 year old tree would look markedly different than a 50 year old tree o the same sp.

CTWB beat me to it.  Bark can be very deceptive based on age of tree.  Leaves and fruit generally look the same over the life of the tree.  Pictures of the fruit scream “Blue Ash, Blue Ash!”

CTwoodburner - 30 June 2008 04:13 PM

PA Woodsman - be careful with the Bark ID.  Bark will vary greatly depending on the age of the tree where sometimes furrows turn to deep furrows in the course 5-10 years, where a 40 year old tree would look markedly different than a 50 year old tree o the same sp.

Yes, very true. Now I have another question for you guys who have cut Blue Ash; all of the Ash that I’ve ever cut had a little “pinhole” running through the center of the wood that you can see on the flush side of the wood when it’s cut-does Blue Ash have this pinhole? I don’t see it in the original picture when I magnify it. And is the center of the wood reddish-brown like this picture shows?

Well I cut all of it up and the saw went through the wood like butter. 
That suprised me as heavy as the wood is I thought it would cut a little harder.

Did you examine the twigs for a square stock with the little ridges on them?

Ya know I did look at the twigs they were square. I thought it was odd but didn’t think much more about it.  I don’t think the tree was diseased but I was only able to get at the top half.  I threw some on the fire today it burned good for being wet.  The fruit looks more like
Ash than Locust.  From what I have seen Locust has long pods.

no man - 30 June 2008 10:17 PM

...From what I have seen Locust has long pods.

Longer, even, than this thread?  Dang, those are some long pods!    Rick

Sold, especially if it burned well green. The square twigs clinch it. This is Blue Ash.

The mod has spoken.  Thus, it is decreed.