Need Help Identifying A Tree

[Risser09]

I am in the process of cutting and splitting a silver maple which took out a limb from another tree. I was cutting that other limb and the owner of the property said I could fell the remainder of the tree if I wanted, for firewood. I am trying to identify the tree and am not sure whether it is an elm or a basswood (based on the numerous online tree identifiers).

Key stats:
LEAVES: Green, Oval, Pointed, 2" long, Alternating
BARK: Brown, pretty well ribbed
NOTABLES: The wood itself is pretty stringy, sort of difficult to split but easy on the saw, although I found myself using a sledge to help the maul into the wood. After splitting, there was a pungent, manure-like smell that attracted some flies. Also, the trunk is pretty straight, until it split, and the few branches it had weeped downward.

Anyone have any ideas/experiences?

 

[Todd]

Hard to say without a pic, but it sounds like Elm?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Sounds very typical elm. Take it. Makes excellent firewood but takes a bit to season as it is full of sap.

 

[Risser09]

I scanned the leaves that I brought into work. Hope it works....

 

[begreen]

Looks like elm.

 

[savageactor7]

The ribbed bark would indicate it 's a Basswood...the bark is really smooth but has these ridges running the length of the trunk...like the bark was pinched. Leaves are pretty much identical to elm as will. Never burned it but I consider it an invasive species and have been cutting a lot of saplings down around here the last couple of years.

If it's not a junk wood someone set me straight.

 

[Risser09]

I guess when I said "ribbed" I meant that it was similar to the bark pattern of the pin oak I have in my front yard. It doesn't look pinched. I guess it's an elm species.

 

[begreen]

sa is correct, elm can be really invasive. Do you see a lot of sucker trees popping up out of the ground near this tree? If yes, definitely elm. We have a big one in the yard and it has spread itself via underground roots at least 100 yards away.

 

[JustWood]

The ribbed bark would indicate it 's a Basswood...the bark is really smooth but has these ridges running the length of the trunk...like the bark was pinched. Leaves are pretty much identical to elm as will. Never burned it but I consider it an invasive species and have been cutting a lot of saplings down around here the last couple of years.

If it's not a junk wood someone set me straight.

It is junk wood but it make really tough planks for use in dump truck side boards or horse stalls. Elm will bend along way before it breaks.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Elm is junk wood as far as lumber goes but it still makes good firewood.

Around here we've had the Dutch Elm disease since back in the 50's, so most of our elm does not get too big before it dies. After it dies, we usually let them stand until all the bark has fell off. Then if you can let them stand another 2 years it is ideal. Most of it then splits decently, but it is still elm so some is pretty twisted. As far as firewood goes though, it is not that much behind the good woods like oak, ash and beech. It just is not quite as dense, but good firewood nonetheless.

 

[savageactor7]

^what you said about elm, that's my experience too.

I was wondering about Basswood...what's the story on that? Thanks

 

[Adios Pantalones]

If the leaves feel really rough- then that's a sure sign that it's American elm. Elms tend also to rain down a mist of sticky sap at some point in the summer- coats cars and even makes the street feel sticky when you walk on it.

 

[sapratt]

I know the picture is bad but it will work. Look at the leaf at the bottom.
See how the one side of the leaf is longer than the other side. Look
at your leafs if they look like that then it is an Elm. I couldn't tell looking
at your picture.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

^what you said about elm, that's my experience too.

I was wondering about Basswood...what's the story on that? Thanks

Find some model airplane builders and they will love all the bass you can supply them with. It is extremely light but yet fairly strong for its weight. You can also use it for firewood, but naturally it isn't the best because it is a softer wood. Still, I certainly would not throw it out. We used to love to find some every now and then at the sawmill simply because it is so light to carry and so easy to work with.

 

[savageactor7]

Well alrighty then thanks for the heads up backwoods savage. I don't have any full grown basswood trees. They just started showing up about 3 years ago and I considered them pests cause they came out of nowhere and were so prolific. Anyway I've been cutting them down by the hundreds with my weedwhacker and saw blade attachment since they're competing with my white oak saplings. Like you said very soft wood and easy to cut down.

 

[OldHickory]

Check this out from Univ of MN. I identified some ELM recently & the two unique characteristics I used were
1. A wavy summerwood grain (wavy between growth rings)
2. An overlapping tan/dark brown layers of the outer bark. (website calls it bacon bark)
See this website pics of these characteristics.
(broken link removed to http://www.forestry.umn.edu/extension/urban_com/firewood.pdf)

Also, here is a pic of my recent ELM splits (after drying for 1 yr)