Wood ID

[JimBear]

I was out today looking for some Red Elm & found this.

I think it’s Hickory, looks like Shagbark but as evidenced in the past I have oft been mistaken. It’s getting punky around the edges in places but the heartwood is still in good shape. Overall about 60’ long & about 16” at the base.

I also found this nice Red Elm along with a few small ones.

 

[TreePointer]

Shagbark hickory was my initial thought, too. Look for 3-lobed "monkey face" leaf scars on twigs to help confirm.

 

[CincyBurner]

+1 for shagbark based on the bark. Hickory sapwood rots quickly.

 

[JimBear]

Thanks, I believe it’s been down for a couple of years so I was surprised it wasn’t totally punky. There aren’t any twigs left to check for leaf scars. I will get what’s good this afternoon, I just cut a chunk out to check & ID it. I’m sure the smaller limbs are bad but I’ll find out later.

 

[Woody Stover]

The Shag looks like it will burn, sapwood may still have some life. I haven't had much experience with it, but if the heart will hold up longer than the sapwood, I might saw one that has been down a couple years that I never got to, have a look and see if anything is salvageable.
Red Elm lying around, OTOH, will last years and years. It's mainly what I've been scrounging in the woods, going for dry or dry-able wood for my in-laws for next winter.

 

[Simonkenton]

That top one looks like hickory. But it is half rotten. I don't put rotten wood in my wood pile.

 

[Kevin Weis]

Get it cut up and split now. The sapwood looks to be still salvageable. Yep after about two years it will get punky unless bark is off and its official the ground. That's what Hickory does.

 

[JimBear]

I figure I can shave off any punky stuff while splitting it. It will be a little extra work but will be worth it to me for some hickory in the stash.

 

[Woody Stover]

I can shave off any punky stuff while splitting it. It will be a little extra work

I've done that more than once, usually with Red Oak. If you let the sapwood rot long enough you can peel it off with your hand.

 

[JimBear]

The same day I found the Hickory I stumbled across a 15’ long log covered in moss so gave it a few whacks with the hatchet, seemed solid so I cut a test chunk out. I believe it’s oak. It will make camp fire wood at the minimum.

 

[CountryBoy19]

I don't think that's a Shagbark Hickory in the OP. I think the bark is loose from being dead/down for a few years and is deceiving. But it is a hickory so still worth getting IMHO.