Wood ID

[Riff]

I cut this one down the other day as any larger and it would pose a threat to the house in the storm. I've never quite figured out what it is, there are no flowers or nuts produced by it and we have a couple more on the property so I'd just like to know for curiosity sake. They grow in the rockier, drier part of the property, none are located close to the springs or water.

Cross section:


Trunk:


Branches:


Branch tips as best the phone would allow:

 

[FaithfulWoodsman]

Black cherry or an ornamental cherry 100%. Rosy heartwood and an orange sap ring. It should smell sweet on the end or a split.

 

[Riff]

Black cherry or an ornamental cherry 100%. Rosy heartwood and an orange sap ring. It should smell sweet on the end or a split.

Just checked a fresh split, does smell sweet. Good deal, thanks!!

 

[Woody Stover]

there are no flowers or nuts produced by it

Looks like Black Cherry. If so, keep an eye on 'em for some small cherries in season...good wildlife tree, and the berries are edible.

 

[AmbDrvr253]

Burnt corn flake bark is a dead give away for black cherry

 

[Stinkpickle]

Agreed. Black cherry. Season it and cook ribs wth it.

 

[Wood Duck]

Yes, Black Cherry. It probably does bear fruit, but the birds eat the cherries before you get to see them.

 

[heavy hammer]

Black cherry as stated above seasons quickly nice burning.

 

[Riff]

Looks like Black Cherry. If so, keep an eye on 'em for some small cherries in season...good wildlife tree, and the berries are edible.

Mmm explains why the local deer like to hang out in that part of the property during summer. Had always just figured it was a good spot to bed down during the heat of the day.

 

[Riff]

Yes, Black Cherry. It probably does bear fruit, but the birds eat the cherries before you get to see them.

More than likely. We have one cherry tree that we knew of on the place and have gotten cherries off of it only once. Spent a day collecting what we could reach, the birds had the rest picked clean within a day or two after that.

 

[Fred Wright]

+1 for black cherry ~ or wild cherry as it was called when I lived in Virginny. They grew like weeds in the Hampton Roads area. Seen a lot of 'em cut back or down over the years. They'll grow anywhere a bird can perch and were often regarded as nuisance trees.

There was a good-sized specimen by the fence behind the house we grew up in. Unfortunately for the tree it was also growing over the clothesline. Mom eventually had the neighbor man take it down. It produced clusters of little cherries that the birds ate ~ and crapped dark red stains on Mom's laundry. Mom said "That tree has got to go."