Black Birch?

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barmstrong2

barmstrong2

Feeling the Heat
Nov 2, 2007
342
Maine
A while back, there was some discussion of black birch. I'm not familiar with this particular wood, but, others said it's one of the very best. So, I've been on the lookout. Today, I saw this standing dead, 2 actually, and I think it might be the sought after black birch. Hope these pics are helpful.
KIMG0129 (2).jpg
KIMG0130 (2).jpg
 
I believe so. Easy test- break a twig or 2 off and smell. If distinct wintergreen smell greets, answer is yes. Btw, black birch twigs can be steeped in hot water for a great smelling, yet mild flavor tea. I just had some recently from I tree out back
 
Ctwoodtick said:
I believe so. Easy test- break a twig or 2 off and smell. If distinct wintergreen smell greets, answer is yes. Btw, black birch twigs can be steeped in hot water for a great smelling, yet mild flavor tea. I just had some recently from I tree out back
Click to expand...
I'll check that out tomorrow. Thanks!
 
Nope, that's not black birch. Black birch bark is a dark dark grey on trees that size, sometimes appearing to have a chalkiness to it, especially when dry. I'm not even sure if you have birch there at all.
 
Definitely not Black Birch! It might be a River Birch but it's hard to tell from the pictures. Black birch bark is kind of plated and very hard with a color of dark gray to almost black. If it wasn't so late, I'd get some pictures of some I have on my property.

Here is a picture of water/river birch bark
http://forestry.usu.edu/images/uploads/WaterBirchOld.jpg

And this is what Black Birch Bark looks like. Note the difference.
http://www.pvpark.org/images/species/blackbirch-bark-temporary.jpg
 
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Are you certain they weren't talking about Black Locust? THAT is one of the best burning woods!
 
Phoenix Hatchling said:
Are you certain they weren't talking about Black Locust? THAT is one of the best burning woods!
Click to expand...
No, I can't recall which thread but black birch was discussed. Made me curious because I'd not heard of it before and it is apparently native in the area. No locust up here, to my knowledge.
 
1. No, that isn't Black Birch but it looks like some type of Birch.
2. Black Birch kicks ass so that part was TRUE! :cool:
 
More pics...
birch1.jpg birch2.jpg birch3.jpg birch4.jpg
birch5.jpg birch6.jpg
This, to me, is definitely birch of some type. It splits like yellow birch. Wicked hard. No wintergreen smell. Very limby, like other birch. I'm more curious than anything, now. Wife says I'm weird, but, I find this stuff interesting. Should have seen her when I carried a piece of this inside and told her to smell it. She plays along. Good sport.
 
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I don't know... I searched "black birch" and the pics I see there are this tree. It's a dead ringer. Says also called Sweet Birch or Cherry Birch.
 
Does it have a wintergreen aroma to it at all? If so, it's Black Birch. Does it have a pleasantly sweet aroma to it? You have yourself a cherry.

Black birch is fantastic wood. I wish I had it available out here. My parents have a property in the southern Adirondacks that is mostly wooded and about 50% black birch. Great fuel and seasons quickly relative to others in its BTU class.
 
Looks like the wild cherry we're splitting right now. Does it flower profusely with a white flower in the spring?
 
Pin cherry. Was the tree dead and 10-12 inch at the butt? Are the growth rings good size? Are there fungus cankers randomly located on the branches. If yes then definitely a pin cherry.

Supposedly black birch grows here but I don't recall seeing any in my adventures.
 
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BCC_Burner said:
Does it have a wintergreen aroma to it at all? If so, it's Black Birch. Does it have a pleasantly sweet aroma to it? You have yourself a cherry.
Click to expand...
No wintergreen. Yes, I would say pleasantly sweet describes it well.
Wildo said:
Pin cherry. Was the tree dead and 10-12 inch at the butt? Are the growth rings good size? Are there fungus cankers randomly located on the branches. If yes then definitely a pin cherry.
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Yes to all those qualifiers. OK. You guys have convinced me. It is cherry, or pin cherry, to be specific. It's going in the stack for 2017-18. It'll be great firewood. There are still 3 more out there. They are in one of our gravel pits on the edge of the quarry, so, they are all standing dead, but, the one I cut today is still very wet.

Thanks everyone!
 
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Sorry, I forgot to add did you find it in or near a gravel pit/bank. That is another telltale sign;)




seriously
 
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Definitely cherry of some sort. BB does not have bark similar to those pics.(the inner bark) Cherry is great firewood as well. I have BB and like to burn it in overnites.
 
Black cherry ...,may have a sweet smell when split.
 
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