can you id this gnarly old tree?

[Nutmeg Warrior]

Tree fell earlier in the winter. It has two trunks and I was surprised to find buds on some of the branches while we were investigating yesterday.

 

[basod]

Looks like maple
Tree has been sick for a while judging from all the sucker branches

 

[firefighterjake]

Just a guess . . . maple.

 

[Bocefus78]

Before I looked at the picture I sensed maple since you said it already had buds. After looking, It's maple. That thing had some wet feet! Was it hollow at the base?

 

[Nutmeg Warrior]

Before I looked at the picture I sensed maple since you said it already had buds. After looking, It's maple. That thing had some wet feet! Was it hollow at the base?

Yes, it is somewhat hollow at the base. The whole area is pretty damp and soggy.

 

[Brewmonster]

Red maple, Acer rubrum.
Great cat!

 

[Jags]

Yep on da maple. And that bobcat sure appears friendly.

 

[Nutmeg Warrior]

Hopefully it will make some decent firewood. Our cat loves wood heat!

 

[Jags]

Good stuff to burn. Middle of the road heat, some coaling.

 

[nrford]

Soft Maple for sure

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Indeed soft maple. We've burn lots simply because we have so much of it. Normally don't burn it at night but works great during the day. Also makes for some super kindling wood when split small.

One of the best things about that tree is if you get it split right away and stack it in the wind, it will be okay to burn next winter. Dries fast. You can even leave these trees whole and they will dry! Takes 2-3 years for that to happen but any longer than 3 years it usually goes punky. Split it and stack it though and it will not go bad.

 

[hickoryhoarder]

Red maple, Acer rubrum.
Great cat!

Ditto on that evaluation.

 

[Woody Stover]

Silver Maple, I think.

One of the best things about that tree is if you get it split right away and stack it in the wind, it will be okay to burn next winter. Dries fast.

You heard the man; Stack it!

 

[billb3]

maple
I've got one with those same funny knobs growing on it uprooted on the corner of the property.
Lost a top years ago . Bigger on the bottom but the first top it had is gone. Dunno how rotten it is in side. Fell into the swamp and a ton of huge briars. I hacked some briars out of the way just to get a little better look at it.
Has the same red buds.

 

[Nutmeg Warrior]

I'm glad to hear that it will season quickly as I am a new burner and haven't built up any kind of wood supply. Well, I do have some tulip poplar but it burns ridiculously quick. You're right, I need to get this cut and split asap. I'm going to start tackling it today. Thanks for the encouragement!