Strange looking wood

[Noslo65]

I just brought home some free wood to split. I was not sure what species it was but it was very heavy and looked like good hardwood. The center looked dark similar to walnut. When I got some split I then saw that the center was black and yellowish. Anybody know what it is.

 

[Noslo65]

This wood also splits very easy and has a straight grain.

 

[Scrounger]

Clicking on the thumbnail doesn't give a bigger picture. The bark is hard to see in such a small picture. Hickory? Check out this link https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/11650/ It's been a while since I split mulberry. It seems that mulberry is a two toned wood but not a drastic as your picture. I'll say hickory based on the pic and your 'real heavy' description.

 

[babalu87]

Orange Osage?

 

[mikeathens]

I've had poplar look like that, but I can't tell from the bark. Poplar will be super-heavy when you fiorst cut it. Does it have any fragrance that you could describe?

 

[Noslo65]

I picked this wood up at our landscape recycle center. I went back there again on my lunch for some more wood, there was a gentlemen there that was picking up some of the same wood. He said it was box elder. Does this seem correct.

 

[jeff in pa]

IMHO, not box elder. Box elder is very light / white with really unique red streaks running through it. In the maple family IIRC. Super light when dry like willow or even balsa. Worthless (almost) as firewood. I had some fall in the yard and did burn it in the stove.

JD in PA

 

[Noslo65]

It does not matter too much. I am going to split it, season it and burn it any way. I have not bought a stove yet. But I need wood to put in it. I will probably wait until spring to look for a stove. I live in central Illinois. I live near some timber. My inlaws own property that we live near. I have access to ash, osage orange, cherry, honey locust, some hickory, and oak.

 

[Henz]

its basically rotting in the middle

 

[gpcollen1]

That does not look like box elder to me but it is always hard to tell from pics. Acer Negundo, Maple family (genus), but not as hard a wood as most of the maples due to it's fast growing / weedy nature. This may still be heavy stuff when fresh or soaking wet but would not be if dry.

The Osage Orange may not be far off - just from memory of the bark - I have never seen it split.

 

[Tracey Osborn]

Osage Orange, a.ka. Hedge, is bright yellow when split green. So bright, it nearly hurts your eyes! I guess that is to warn you of how hot it will burn in the stove!

 

[bruce]

looks like basswood

 

[boostnut]

Noslo65, where are you from? I noticed Central IL is your location, I'm in Washington.

 

[kolbyTheDog]

Hey Noslo65! I live in Farmer City, IL - boostnut and I just found each other. This is great having more Illini on the board. What is it with us though that we all don't put the town we live in un-like most people on this board! I guess we are all paranoid Midwesterners! I have lots of guns and big rabid dogs so nobody even dare try to steal wood from my wood pile!

 

[laynes69]

I'd say poplar. Just cut some last year and burned it.

 

[laynes69]

Thats poplar. Osage is quite a bit different. Almost neon yellow when fresh and dark orange when seasoned.

 

[johnsopi]

I'll 2nd Poplar, does it have a smell to it?