Tree ID, Understory tree ID

[mrd1995]

We have been exploring our little woodlot this week now that a lot of the briars and stuff are dying back. We came across a few interesting things, one being Hophornbeam I am assuming the Eastern variety see the bark in the first picture. I take pride in learning what we have growing on our land and have been blown away by the size of the Sassafras Trees on our lot, 100% + Id see picture two.




And then we came upon these mystery trees, my initial thought is a elm of some sort. Any ideas, tree is about 8-10" in diameter and 30' give or take. I was not able to find anything that lead me to think well that could be it... see picture 3-5.





Any ideas are much appreciated.
Thank you,
Michael

 

[johneh]

The second picture looks like beech but my picture ID is poor
to you are way out in left field. That is a nice size ironwood (Hopshornbeam)

 

[mrd1995]

The second picture looks like beech but my picture ID is poor
to you are way out in left field. That is a nice size ironwood (Hopshornbeam)

The three pictures in a row are of the same tree.

 

[CincyBurner]

Pics 3-5: Can't quite make out the leaves but bark consistent with serviceberry (Amelanchier).

Its leaves are simple, ovate with fine serrations.​

Nice flowers, edible fruit, and good fall color. Wood is dense and surprisedly very tough to split.
https://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=850

 

[mrd1995]

Pics 3-5: Can't quite make out the leaves but bark consistent with serviceberry (Amelanchier).

Its leaves are simple, ovate with fine serrations.​

Nice flowers, edible fruit, and good fall color. Wood is dense and surprisedly very tough to split.
https://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=850

That could be it, that's the closest lead I have seen thus far.

 

[TreePointer]

Tips:

1. Sometimes I take binoculars with me to look at leaves in tree branches.

2. Consider taking a picture of leaves/leaf on the ground that's the same as those still up in the tree.

3. Often overlooked, but one of the best ways to get a precise ID on a tree is to take a picture of a twig with buds and leaf scars.

 

[Jonathan2001]

1. Eastern hop hornbeam. Lovely lilttle trees that can be 50 years old and only 5 inches diameter if grown in deep shade. The understory in my SE Michigan forest is full of them. They seem to die off around 40-50 years old and remain dead standing for a while. Easy to find them sub-20% moisture content dead standing, and burn as hot as white oak but less finicky than white oak. Coals up great like all the ultra-dense species.

2. Looks like cottonwood based on large, deep ridges in bark. Handsome bark. Lousy firewood.

3. The first of the group of 3 looks like basswood. Basswood bark changes dramatically as it ages, starting as smooth and gray, then it looks the the first of the group of 3 at middle age, and finally gets dark brown, deep ridges at maturity. The second photo in the group of 3 looks almost like a hickory (not shagbark or shell bark... one of the somewhat less common, like pignut or bitternut). Except I know you said it's the same tree... Plus, al the hickories around here grow straight, almost without exception.

 

[mrd1995]

Tips:

1. Sometimes I take binoculars with me to look at leaves in tree branches.

2. Consider taking a picture of leaves/leaf on the ground that's the same as those still up in the tree.

3. Often overlooked, but one of the best ways to get a precise ID on a tree is to take a picture of a twig with buds and leaf scars.

I will try the binocular trick, the first limb is above my reach unfortunately.

 

[mrd1995]

1. Eastern hop hornbeam. Lovely lilttle trees that can be 50 years old and only 5 inches diameter if grown in deep shade. The understory in my SE Michigan forest is full of them. They seem to die off around 40-50 years old and remain dead standing for a while. Easy to find them sub-20% moisture content dead standing, and burn as hot as white oak but less finicky than white oak. Coals up great like all the ultra-dense species.

2. Looks like cottonwood based on large, deep ridges in bark. Handsome bark. Lousy firewood.

3. The first of the group of 3 looks like basswood. Basswood bark changes dramatically as it ages, starting as smooth and gray, then it looks the the first of the group of 3 at middle age, and finally gets dark brown, deep ridges at maturity. The second photo in the group of 3 looks almost like a hickory (not shagbark or shell bark... one of the somewhat less common, like pignut or bitternut). Except I know you said it's the same tree... Plus, al the hickories around here grow straight, almost without exception.

I thought it was cottonwood at first too, the cottonwood up here seems to have a light battleship grey bark, not sure if the location changes that? Also the tree in the second picture has the iconic different leaf shapes on one limb.