Standing dead Ash...or is it Poplar?

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muncybob

muncybob

Minister of Fire
Apr 8, 2008
2,158
Near Williamsport, PA
Have a lady that wants some trees cut down. Her neighbor says they are dead Black Ash. I have a heck of a time trying to determine the difference between Ash and Poplar when there are no leaves. Wish I would have had my camera with me for pics.Trees are fairly tall and straight single trunks with no limbs until near the top. Any hints for me as I really don't want to mess with Poplar.
 
A pic of the bark would help . . .
 
Just look up at the branches....

if the tree has opposite branches like this, its Ash (or maple but Norway Maple is the only type of maple that has bark similar to Ash and Poplar)
upload_2014-10-24_16-45-44.png

If it has alternate branches like this, then its poplar (or at least not ash or maple)
upload_2014-10-24_16-46-7.png

Ash and Maples are the only common trees that have opposite branching. Dogwood and Horsechestnut are the other two but they are less common.

upload_2014-10-24_16-46-26.png
 
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Thanx Razo, that will help. I've cut some Ash before and the bark was dead giveaway, these not so much. I guess I never paid attention to the branching. There's too much work involved on her trees to make it worthwhile unless they are good hardwoods.
 
if its black ash the inner wood will be dark brown with a white outer circle an inch or two thick under the bark. Love me some black ash.
Popular should have a "skin" type bark 10 ft or so up the trunk.
 
Going up to sharpen my chain and head out, try to remember to take my camera this time. Hoping it's black ash, she has about 8 trees of apprx 80+ ft high she wants down. Sure would be nice if it's fairly dry already as we are about a cord short for wood this year.
 
Forest tulip poplar has a distinct profile when the leaves are down. It actually looks like a tulip from a distance. Yard trees probably won't have the profile though.
 
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