Ash or poplar?

[muncybob]

I seem to get the two mixed up but I think what we have here is poplar?

 

[mywaynow]

The leaves are definitely Ash. I have similar issues discerning the two by bark. Leaves are telling though. Cut a piece and take a whiff. Poplar is sweeeeeet smelling.

 

[fespo]

100% Ash

 

[muncybob]

I should have taken my saw with me when I went to look at the downed trunk, wonder if it's been standing dead too long and is punky now?

 

[Woody Stover]

Looks like Ash, except the bark in the last pic. I'd have to see further up the trunk, or some leaves.

That Ash that's on the ground looks like it's pretty well shot. If you're hurting, you might be able to get something out of it that would give off a little heat....

 

[schlot]

Standing tree doesn't look like ash to me

 

[Applesister]

None of the photos say poplar, even the last one. Remember the stems are opposite on Ash and maples and I dont see that either. The live tree trunk pic doesnt say Ash to me as well. The leaves are hard to really see.
The mushroomed thing might be.

 

[NortheastAl]

Standing tree might be an Oak. Definitely not Ash

 

[ScotO]

Its funny seeing all of our different opinions on these trees. well, I'm saying ash with certainty, the leaves on the standing tree are the deal-sealers.

HOWEVER, that being said, the tree on the ground sure looks like a punky old tulip poplar to me.....but it's probably an ash too...

 

[PA. Woodsman]

Some on here might get tired of hearing me say this, but I doubt it since we are "all on the same team" and just trying to help each other out, but if you cut into the tree and look in the middle of the flat cutside you will see that Ash has a small "pinhole" there; not may other trees have that that I am aware of, but if you see that pinhole in the center of the flat cutside it's Ash.

 

[gzecc]

If you have the leaves you can make a certain ID. Without the leaves, poplar and ash bark are similar looking. Poplar tends to run straighter.

 

[Applesister]

The 'pinhole' is the pith chamber. When I say the trees dont look like any poplar, Im refering to the Populus genus. Not inclusive of Tulip poplar(not to be confusing).
To be helpful to the group at large I try to explain WHY I think a tree is one species or another. I am testing myself and furthering my exposure to seeing trees in other areas of the country.
One really needs one's five senses when identifying trees and wood and bark. I feel anyway.
Guessing from photos is simply guessing.

 

[NortheastAl]

Its funny seeing all of our different opinions on these trees. well, I'm saying ash with certainty, the leaves on the standing tree are the deal-sealers.

HOWEVER, that being said, the tree on the ground sure looks like a punky old tulip poplar to me.....but it's probably an ash too...

The bark looks wrong to me on the standing tree for it to be Ash, but you know better than I would, Scott. It is frustrating not to be able to tell the type of tree we are looking at. Some are easy, as we've probably been exposed to them all our lives, and others are just difficult to tell apart.

 

[Jacktheknife]

I'm late to the party, but I will take a whack at this piñata. The downed tree does look like ash to me, but the bark on the standing one certainly doesn't match what I've been told for ash. And it is hard to zoom in enough, but it doesn't look like there is any alternate branching.

EDIT: But what do I know, I didn't even recognize mulberry yesterday.

 

[Locust Post]

Swamp ash for sure

 

[Woody Stover]

The bark looks wrong to me on the standing tree for it to be Ash, but you know better than I would, Scott.

bark on the standing one certainly doesn't match what I've been told for ash. And it is hard to zoom in enough, but it doesn't look like there is any alternate branching.

I don't know about the branches but the leaves are alternate. I don't see any good, straight-on leaf views, but I see places where it looks like two leaves are hanging next to each other....

poplar and ash bark are similar looking. Poplar tends to run straighter.

Looks like Ash, except the bark in the last pic.

OK, I'll change that statement. Initially, I thought the stander might be Shingle Oak based on the leaves, but they didn't look dark green enough or shiny enough. Sometimes the bark at the base of a large Ash won't show the typical 'diamond' pattern that you'll see further up the trunk, and I think that's what Scotty is going on. If you can't get close leaf pics, shoot one further up the trunk.
Like gzecc said, Tulip (Yellow) Poplar tends to have a beautiful, straight trunk.
The bark ridges tend to have flatter tops than White Ash. Poplar bark usually looks lighter gray than Ash, and can have a very light gray color in the valleys between the bark ridges.

All of these are Tulip:
(broken image removed)

(broken image removed)

(broken image removed)

 

[NortheastAl]

Swamp ash for sure

The one in the dirt definitely has Swamp Azz.