Can you help identify this wood? White Ash?
- Thread starter JordanCT
- Start date
-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
![[Hearth.com] Can you help identify this wood? White Ash?](/talk/data/attachments/232/232694-2d4214aa3a4c1559ece9ca2089b07bcc.jpg?hash=2FEm-GPMwq)
![[Hearth.com] Can you help identify this wood? White Ash?](/talk/data/attachments/232/232695-1271cc53ff13bafaba298ef019298803.jpg?hash=ooY4jNzg18)
ValleyCottageSplitter
Feeling the Heat
Leaves will probably be an easy way if there are still somewhat in original shape.
Another way if you really want to know is to get a small solid log and sand one end (cross section) until it is smooth to about 220 grit. Take a look at the grain, preferably with a magnifying glass or loupe and compare with these examples:
https://woodidentification.net/wood-images-2/
Another way if you really want to know is to get a small solid log and sand one end (cross section) until it is smooth to about 220 grit. Take a look at the grain, preferably with a magnifying glass or loupe and compare with these examples:
https://woodidentification.net/wood-images-2/
FaithfulWoodsman
Minister of Fire
I dont see any opposite branching and bark profile isnt ash. First guess is some sort of soft wood. Leaves look odd, but maybe its just cause they're dead. Need more clear pics.
Jay106n
Minister of Fire
Not sure, but it is not ash. No opposite branches and bark does not look like it for its age.
Try using this tree Id site
https://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/
Try using this tree Id site
https://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/
Last edited:
Jan Pijpelink
Minister of Fire
kennyp2339
Minister of Fire
CincyBurner
Minister of Fire
A first impression (a quick flash ID) it looked like tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=76
A zoom-in of pic 1 confirms it. What appears at a distance to be dried, brown leaves are actually the dried fruit - single samara (helical). Also, has an alternate branching habit (ash is opposite).
Ailanthus (local arborists call it 'stink tree' because rancid peanut butter odor when its twigs are bruised) is an invasive, weed tree that makes for very poor firewood. Take a pass on this wood.
A zoom-in of pic 1 confirms it. What appears at a distance to be dried, brown leaves are actually the dried fruit - single samara (helical). Also, has an alternate branching habit (ash is opposite).
Ailanthus (local arborists call it 'stink tree' because rancid peanut butter odor when its twigs are bruised) is an invasive, weed tree that makes for very poor firewood. Take a pass on this wood.
New to site! Thankee fer the add!! 
Ash leaves are directly opposite each other with a leaf sticking straight out the end, just like Hickory! (Only Ash leaves are pointy)
Ash is also a bit “shreddey” when split! And is cream colored off white!
That looks like “Heaven wood”, “Tree of Heaven” to me!
Split open a small branch or leaf when green and it has a stench to it!
Dry, it doesn’t smell bad!
If you are under any time or space constraints and/or have plenty of hardwoods available..you might want to pass on this!
It’s definitely not “night wood”! Burns up pretty fast..but, it cuts and splits super easy! smaller pieces can be split with a hatchet!
Dries really quick and makes, not the greatest but ok, kindlin!
Better to use on fall or spring days when it’s not real cold and you have time to feed the stove!
I have plenty of it laying around but there’s so much Ash, Oak, Hickory, Beech, Hard Maple and Black Cherry to be had that I’m going fer that before it’s dozed up and burnt this Dec or Jan! (Turnin into crop land)
That being said, I hate to see it just laying there tho!
I’ve cut some up and already burnt it!
I may drag onother’er two and cut up!
It’s prolly akin to Poplar for burnin!
So..es “mejor que nada”,(“better than nuthin”) if you’re cold! ☺️
Ash leaves are directly opposite each other with a leaf sticking straight out the end, just like Hickory! (Only Ash leaves are pointy)
Ash is also a bit “shreddey” when split! And is cream colored off white!
That looks like “Heaven wood”, “Tree of Heaven” to me!
Split open a small branch or leaf when green and it has a stench to it!
Dry, it doesn’t smell bad!
If you are under any time or space constraints and/or have plenty of hardwoods available..you might want to pass on this!
It’s definitely not “night wood”! Burns up pretty fast..but, it cuts and splits super easy! smaller pieces can be split with a hatchet!
Dries really quick and makes, not the greatest but ok, kindlin!
Better to use on fall or spring days when it’s not real cold and you have time to feed the stove!
I have plenty of it laying around but there’s so much Ash, Oak, Hickory, Beech, Hard Maple and Black Cherry to be had that I’m going fer that before it’s dozed up and burnt this Dec or Jan! (Turnin into crop land)
That being said, I hate to see it just laying there tho!
I’ve cut some up and already burnt it!
I may drag onother’er two and cut up!
It’s prolly akin to Poplar for burnin!
So..es “mejor que nada”,(“better than nuthin”) if you’re cold! ☺️
Last edited:
