Wood ID please?

DH scrounged this wood, and wants to know what it is. Asked me to post pics.








thanks

Mary

maple

I would guess maple of some sort.

Maple.
Don't look like hard maple , red maple maybe.

Maple. Looks like good burning wood.

Good Mary. By now you probably have the idea it is maple.

Yes Maple

What makes the pattern in the center of the wood? It's not punky or wet at all...

Heart Wood,in the center, outer layer is sap wood/spring wood , grows fast and is less dense



Spalting is caused by certain white-rot decay fungi growing in wood.primarily hardwoods such as maple, birch, and beech. The fungi create .zone lines. in the wood where territories of competing fungi meet. The unusual coloration.black, pink, gray, and multicolored streaks.may result from reactions between the wood, the decay fungi, and insect deposits. If these decay fungi are allowed to grow for too long, however, the strength of the wood is diminished.

Looks like spalting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalting

I think it is Red Maple. Definitely some sort of Maple.

There is a slight possibility that it is maple. Hard or soft, maple is great firewood.

Red maple, good stuff. Seasons fast (1 year or so after split), makes great SS wood....

That is not spalting. That is the result of the Ambrosia beetle. The bug tunnels through the wood leaving a hole, the tree reacts to the invasion by leaving a mineral stain. This is in a Soft Maple. Soft Maple lumber is sold two ways WHAD(Worm Holes Are Defect) and WHND (Worm Holes No Defect). Most often WHND lumber is used as framestock(upend you favorite couch or Lazy-Boy the frame has a good chance of being WHND Soft Maple) ,and sometimes is used as an specialty item, panelling, or some furniture. WHAD is used where appearance is important, quality furniture, trim,cabinets, etc. WHND is least desirable as a lumber and least valueable(by ALOT of $$) Most often Wormy maple is associated with low ground or swampy enviroments.

Thanks for that lesson nrford. This is a new one for me.