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Red oak?

Post in 'The Wood Shed' started by Lowtech, Dec 25, 2012.

  1. Lowtech New Member

    joined: Nov 27, 2012
    30 posts
    CT
    I'm new to this and not always sure what I've picked up. My guess on this load is red oak
    red oak.jpg red oak 2.jpg
    #1

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    Nixon and raybonz like this.
  2. midwestcoast Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 9, 2009
    1,391 posts
    NW Indiana
    I would say so.
    smokinj likes this.
  3. Woody Stover Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 25, 2010
    3,386 posts
    Southern IN
    Yessir.
    I can't see them in the pics, but Oak is the only wood which displays medullary rays, which can be easy, or difficult, to see on the end grain.
    [IMG]
  4. Wood Duck Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 26, 2009
    3,762 posts
    Central PA
    I think you're right. Could be Red Oak or maybe something related, like Pin Oak. I can't see the bark very clearly.
    Woody Stover likes this.
  5. bogydave Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 4, 2009
    7,758 posts
    So Cent ALASKA
    Looks to be red oak.
    Cut Split & Stacked for 2+ years, it'll be good fire wood.
    3 year in many areas :)
  6. Dune Minister of Fire

    Awesome wood a few years from now.
  7. Thistle Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 16, 2010
    3,907 posts
    Central IA
    Definitely one of the Red Oaks.Black,Pin,Northern Pin,Scarlet etc.
    Backwoods Savage and smokinj like this.
  8. Paulywalnut Feeling the Heat

    joined: Nov 29, 2012
    387 posts
    Kennett Square, PA
    Love the aroma of red oak. Very distinctive. Great burning wood.
  9. Backwoods Savage Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 14, 2007
    24,148 posts
    Michigan
    Pauly, many do not like it but I've never minded it. Pin oak is a bit stronger but I still don't mind.
  10. wishlist Minister of Fire

    joined: Mar 28, 2011
    516 posts
    Corunna, Michigan
    I agree an oak for sure and I would say red. Splits easy and I also like the smell! Like Dennis said tho, give it 2 years or 3 is best. ;)
  11. Nixon Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 6, 2008
    619 posts
    West Sunbury ,Pa.
    Yep! Sure looks like red oak . If it smells like you stepped in something your dog left .... Definitely red oak .
    Great stuff if you let it " season " for 3 years . I'm currently enjoying the heat from a stove full as I write this ..... It's worth the wait !
    Thistle likes this.
  12. Beardog Member

    joined: Jan 13, 2011
    159 posts
    NW CT
    You are in for a treat in 3 years! I've got a load of 3 yr seasoned red oak in the stove that has been going for the past 3.5 hrs with the blower on high and the temp is still up over 450
    Nixon likes this.
  13. Lowtech New Member

    joined: Nov 27, 2012
    30 posts
    CT
    As long as where talking seasoning. I may as well ask about some basic guide lines for seasoning times for some other woods, Ash, Maple, Poplar, cherry. Thats most of the types I've been picking up post Sandy along with some really to twisted to split Elm(?)
  14. Beardog Member

    joined: Jan 13, 2011
    159 posts
    NW CT
    Most wood is serviceable after 1 full year, best after 2. Oak is stubborn to dry, so add a year to most wood.
    Woody Stover likes this.
  15. Flatbedford Minister of Fire

    Looks like Red Oak to me. Does it smell like cat piss?
    Thistle, Nixon and OldLumberKid like this.
  16. OldLumberKid Member

    joined: Nov 14, 2012
    201 posts
    Sandyland
    LOL, looks a bit like some wood I split today that was really strong smelling and red inside. It's almost as if I can still smell it now in my nostrils. Not liking the smell, but in an odd way kinda want to ho back for more, it's intriguing stuff.

    Bark had some reddish gold in it too, but not sure if that was natural or as a result of something that happened to the bark while it was lying around.
  17. Backwoods Savage Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 14, 2007
    24,148 posts
    Michigan
    When it comes to time for drying, more is better!

    Ash, can be ready in a year. Much better after 2 or 3 years.
    Maple: Soft maple can be ready in 6 months. Hard maple after a year or two.
    Poplar. A year and sometimes less.
    Cherry. A year.
    Elm. A year. Two is much better though.
    Thistle and Nixon like this.
  18. Paulywalnut Feeling the Heat

    joined: Nov 29, 2012
    387 posts
    Kennett Square, PA
    I know exactly what you mean. The red oak smell does stay with you. You also don't forget that pungent aroma.
  19. WoodPorn Minister of Fire

    That is the most vibrant red I've ever seen in an Oak, the sapwood is uber white too.
    Red Oak is the stankiest wood. akin to the smell of an unshowered bum on a street corner ...Nasty
    White however I could sniff all day!
  20. Jon1270 Minister of Fire

    joined: Aug 25, 2012
    572 posts
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Not so. Medullary rays are visible in most woods; they're just bigger and more obvious in oak.

    But yeah, it's red oak.

    Edit: maybe I should qualify that. Rays are typically visible on cleanly cut end-grain, but may be totally obscured by the rough surface left by a chainsaw. Oak's rays are big enough to be visible regardless.
  21. wishlist Minister of Fire

    joined: Mar 28, 2011
    516 posts
    Corunna, Michigan
    I sure don't understand why some people don't like the smell of oak? On second thought, I've worked at a WWTP ( aka sewage treatment plant) for 30 years and it smells like money to me! ;)

    I'll grab some popcorn and let the jokes begin.
    Lowtech and Backwoods Savage like this.
  22. Thistle Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 16, 2010
    3,907 posts
    Central IA
    I like the smell of White Oak,either green or dry.Red Oak is a whole nother matter.
  23. jdp1152 Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 4, 2012
    616 posts
    Massachusetts
    Red oak has a distinct odor to it, but I don't find it offensive at all.
    Backwoods Savage likes this.
  24. goosegunner Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 15, 2009
    1,078 posts
    WI
    Red oak when green has more of a vomit smell. When it is damp or rainy you can get a whiff of it in the yard. Once it is seasoned it does not smell.

    That is one way to tell if the oak is seasoned. Split a piece and smell it. You can get the aroma if it is not dry.

    gg

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