I have never seen wood do this...wood id too.

[pricey106]

I scrounged this wood from a lot being cleared. Lots of white oak, maple black birch and this stuff. It was probably cut in the fall of 2013. The ends of the logs are checked already too. This stuff is also impossible to split by hand. I hammered my wedge into it like a nail, and it didn't budge. The strangest thing is that it is growing!!

 

[Jags]

It is not unusual for fresh cut spring/early summer logs to do this. I have seen it on a few varieties of wood.

 

[Woody Stover]

Could be Black Tupelo, aka Blackgum, but I'm not sure.

 

[Jags]

Leaf says yes, bark and wood says no. This one actually has me a bit confused. If no leaf was present I would say maple, but sure as heck that ain't no maple leaf.

 

[infinitymike]

Ha, I have the same thing happening with a load of logs I got delivered a couple months ago. I'll snap a pic later

 

[Applesister]

I just flipped thru the Audubon field guide because they have species listed by leaf shape.Black tupelo and Shingle oak are the only 2 trees that I saw that had a simple leaf and bark ridges in rows like that. I dont have this tree in my woodlot. Whatever it is. There are very few trees with simple leaves that arent serrated.

 

[Applesister]

If its tupelo or Blackgum isnt that tree supposed to have interlocking grain? I was reading the trees leaves turn brilliant red in the fall. I definitely dont have that tree in my woodlot.

 

[infinitymike]

Looks like Maple here

 

[Seanm]

I pulled this Larch round out of my stacks last spring and found it growing. It had been cut down the fall before. Zombie wood!

 

[Richie]

Black gum. That is my vote!

 

[Woody Stover]

If its tupelo or Blackgum isnt that tree supposed to have interlocking grain? I was reading the trees leaves turn brilliant red in the fall. I definitely dont have that tree in my woodlot.

I think you are a bit north of the Blackgum natural range. Yes, they are gorgeous in the fall. I haven't split any Sweetgum or Blackgum yet but I have a about five rounds...not sure which one. I'll get to see just how bad it is.

 

[BrotherBart]

I haven't split any Sweetgum

When you do, pack a lunch.

 

[Woody Stover]

When you do, pack a lunch.

That stuff is going straight to the power splitter.

 

[BrotherBart]

That stuff is going straight to the power splitter.

Then pack a lunch and get ready for a mess. You don't split Sweetgum. You mash it into submission.

 

[pricey106]

Is it worth noodling, or should I let it sit for a year in rounds? It will only be used for the fire pit and maybe cooking over its coals.

 

[BrotherBart]

Let it sit in rounds. And don't expect the food you cook over it to be edible. Burn it in the pit for "mood" fires.

 

[Woody Stover]

Burn it in the pit for "mood" fires.

Yeah, when you're in a bad mood, get happy by burning the evil Blackgum.

 

[pricey106]

How would it be if burnt down to coals then cooked over?
I am a newbie to wood types. I have always scrounged for wood for the fire pit and camping. Mostly just took what looked good except for pine. The reason for no pine is because most of the time if the fire is going, I am cooking on it. Oh ya, and sumac ( they get big around here) I won't pick up. You guys have helped me a lot in identifying the less obvious types of wood, THANKS!

 

[pricey106]

How would it be if burnt down to coals then cooked over?
I am a newbie to wood types. I have always scrounged for wood for the fire pit and camping. Mostly just took what looked good except for pine. The reason for no pine is because most of the time if the fire is going, I am cooking on it. Oh ya, and sumac ( they get big around here) I won't pick up. You guys have helped me a lot in identifying the less obvious types of wood, THANKS!