Felling advice, and Wood ID

[Lcback]

This guy broke in half sometime in the winter. Looking to take it down for the 17/18 winter
Also not sure what it is. I'm pretty new at tree ID and I have learned I can only reliably ID black cherry, silver maple, beech, basically stuff I have already worked with. I have some close ups of a tree that looks just the same right beside it that came down and I could get too.

 

[Lcback]

Hmm. Some of the pics are upside down. Not sure if I can fix them or not

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[CincyBurner]

Sassafras . . . mitten-shaped leaves that are aromatic when bruised; bark is blocky, reddish; and wood itself is reddish/ orange, light and burns quickly but doesn't have long lasting coals.

 

[Lcback]

Makes sense. I thought it smelled pretty. Well. It won't be fantastic. And I'm not willing to risk that snapped in half guy for sassafrass. Thanks

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[CincyBurner]

It is do-able, but not one for an inexperienced person to start on. If in doubt, have an experienced cutter help you on this one, or pass this one up. It looks like you have plenty easier picks.
The wood isn't the greatest burning.

Jeff Jepson's two books: The Tree Climber's Companion, and To Fell a Tree A Complete Guide to Tree Felling and Woodcutting Methods is a good start.

 

[Lcback]

Thanks for the book suggestions. I'll look them up.

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[StihlKicking]

That would be a giant of a sassafras in my part of the world. Be careful is the best advice I can give you. Hangers like that are dangerous every time. They can be unpredictable. Take your time and be safe. If you don't feel comfortable with it leave it.


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[Lcback]

Really? Do you think it could be something else?
It smells wonderful when cutting. So I'm betting it is.

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[Lcback]

Here is the third load of sassafras from the smaller of the two.
Probably not going to take the other one down. Maybe I'll get lucky and the wind will. Otherwise it's at least off the groin for later.


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[StihlKicking]

Really? Do you think it could be something else?
It smells wonderful when cutting. So I'm betting it is.

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No, it has all the makings of sassafras it's just really big compared to what I'm used to. Down here sassafras is mainly an understory tree.

Did that tree have a lot of leaves without lobes?I usually only see mitten shaped leaves on new growth.

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[Lcback]

Okay. From what I saw all the leaves were like the picture I posted. This was a tree that fell over in the winter. No leaves growing out of the main branches. Only from the new off shoots where it was still attached to the trunk

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