Standing Dead Tree ID -Elm?

[albertj03]

I've had my eye on this big old standing dead tree for a while because the wood is in very good shape, very litte rot or insect damage and it's solid when you knock on it. I think it's an elm tree and if it is there could be a lot of a good dry wood there for this winter. There is still some bark at the bottom of the tree and it's in one big piece that I could probably pull off all at once. I've found a couple other standing dead elm's around but they had a lot more bark than this tree does. What do you guys think? If I was to cut it down I'd be a little worried about all the dead branches.

 

[Freeheat]

I'm no expert but looks like ash to me.

 

[laynes69]

Looks like ash to me too. Just watch for the branches above when cutting. Those are the reason I wear a helmet.

 

[DexterDay]

I'm no expert but looks like ash to me.

The bark on Elm and Ash are pretty similar. The only reason I say Elm. Is the large sections of bark peeling at once.

So Elm... Cut it and split it... If it 'Pops" its ash. But if its "Stringy" its elm. I still vote Elm though. Cut one down 2 months ago. Nasty stuff

 

[Wood Duck]

It doesn't look like an Elm to me. Too straight at the top. Elms are usually vase shaped, and even in the forest you usually see some indication of the typical vase shape of the branches. Of course your tree is probably missing a lot of branches, so I am sort of guessing here.

 

[CodyWayne718]

I was looking for branches that grow straight across from each other, can't remember their names. Let us know if there is any punkiness too it. Seems that most of the trees I find that dead still standing are soaked.

 

[nrford]

ASH

 

[firefighterjake]

Looks like firewood to me . . . but if I had to make a guess I would lean towards saying it is a dead ash.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I'd say ash.

 

[albertj03]

Thanks guys, it would make sense that it's ash as there are a lot more ash trees around here than elm trees. I think what threw me off is that the ash trees usually do very well here and I haven't come across any dead ones until this. I'm hoping a good portion of the wood is nice and dry and might even be ready to burn this year. I guess there is only one way to find that out. I'll take a closer look at it soon to come up with a good plan of attack. It's a very tall tree with lots of dead branches up top.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

For sure, the shape of the tree says it is not elm as does the bark. The roadmap that the bugs left is typical of ash.

I also agree that cutting this tree can be tricky with all those dead limbs up there. An accident waiting to happen and that is why I like to get them cut before they are at this stage.

I would also caution that you will probably find that the butt of the tree may very well have lots of moisture yet. However, it won't take long to dry after it is split.

 

[Todd]

Could it be Basswood?

 

[thewoodlands]

[quote author="albertj03" date="1314161016"]I've had my eye on this big old standing dead tree for a while because the wood is in very good shape, very litte rot or insect damage and it's solid when you knock on it. I think it's an elm tree and if it is there could be a lot of a good dry wood there for this winter. There is still some bark at the bottom of the tree and it's in one big piece that I could probably pull off all at once. I've found a couple other standing dead elm's around but they had a lot more bark than this tree does. What do you guys think? If I was to cut it down I'd be a little worried about all the dead branches.

How about oak, any in that area?


zap

 

[joefrompa]

Looks like ash to me. Even the way the bark has pulled away from the heartwood in that pic - that looks exactly how ash, cut into rounds, has it's bark pull away when it starts to season.

 

[sinnian]

I don't know $h!t, but I am "bucking" the odds and saying, "White Cedar", especially since he is cutting in So. Maine where 95%+ of White Cedar are dead.

 

[wooddope]

My knee jerk thought was popple. Tough ID for sure!

 

[firefighterjake]

I don't know $h!t, but I am "bucking" the odds and saying, "White Cedar", especially since he is cutting in So. Maine where 95%+ of White Cedar are dead.

100% positive it is not eastern white cedar . . . the bark remaining is nothing like cedar's bark.

 

[firefighterjake]

Best suggestion . . . go back to the area . . . look around at nearby trees with similar looking bark . . . pick a few leaf samples and post the pics here.

 

[albertj03]

My knee jerk thought was popple. Tough ID for sure!

I thought poplar at first too but dead poplars around here don't last long at all. The wood rots quickly, woodpeckers tear them apart and half the tree is on the ground before you know it. This tree has been standing there dead for several years an shows very little rot or damage and the wood is solid.

There are a mix of trees all around. Red & white oak, sugar maple, ash, birch trees, poplar, little bit of elm, beech and of course there is all the pine trees and hemlock. Down the street there are a lot of nice locus trees but very few over here.

I know it's not oak because I've seen plenty of old dead oak trees and the wood looks totally different. It does seem like ash is the most likely species. I'll wait until my wife's uncle comes over to cut some trees and have him spot me while I tackle this one. Seems like a better idea than doing it alone.