Wood ID

B

Blutch

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Its big trash day in my neighborhood today so I drove around looking for a weber kettle lid for my UDS. Struck out on that.. but I did see a pile of nice looking logs that are well seasoned and would make good chunks. I have NO idea what kind of wood this is.. I don't know the first thing about identifying wood once it is cut into small logs... Can anyone point me to a web resource that might help?

I think I'm going to go pick up these logs though... they look like good ones to me, but I'm not sure.

B
 
both of those sites require that you see what kind of leaves or fruit the tree bears... I only have a stack of logs to work with.

Thanks

B
 
The third one gives you an opportunity to identify by the bark. Better yet, could you post a picture here. These guys know a lot about identifying wood.
 
Have you asked the owners of the wood?
They might give you a place to at least start with type verification.

TIM
 
The_Kapn said:
Have you asked the owners of the wood?
They might give you a place to at least start with type verification.

TIM
Click to expand...

Not possible.. it was out front of an empty house that is for sale. I picked it up and photos are coming...

I think it might be birch.. it is very smooth bark and has a red tinge to it..

B
 
Here's the pile.

And a single log. what is it? Is it good for smoking? and does it look like it is well seasoned? The wood looks old to me.

Thanks

B
 

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Could you post a picture of a twig. That way a key can be used to determine the species of tree. I need to be able to see the bud scars to use a key.

Winter Tree Key
 
The way it has open splits on the ends, I'd say it's been cut for awhile, definitely seasoned. I have friends bring me fresh cut sugar maple from up north. I season it until the ends just start to get small splits in them, the wood is then ready for cooking with. Let it season any longer and it's just BTUs. Good and free BTUs mind you. But not much flavor anymore, still some flavor, just not as much.
 
I'm guessing maple but it also could be that damned Bradford Pear.
 
1st, I know nothing about identifying wood, only cooking with it's sawdust. I am sure most are going to laugh and I will be curious when it is determined what species it is, but I am gonna take a wild guess and say Walnut.
 
That looks alot like a pear or Apricot tree from what I have seen before. Father in-law has fruit tress and has had some split from ice and that looks familiar.
 
most of the logs have a reddish tint to them.. does that help? I've never seen a maple with reddish bark.

How can I tell if it is good for smoking?

B
 
Blutch - I have your answer! I just cooked with that stuff TONIGHT. ;)

It looks like hackberry, bro. It grows all over in the OKC area. Smooth, gray bark and it cooks like 'hickory lite'. Score!
 
Arlin_MacRae said:
Blutch - I have your answer! I just cooked with that stuff TONIGHT. ;)

It looks like hackberry, bro. It grows all over in the OKC area. Smooth, gray bark and it cooks like 'hickory lite'. Score!
Click to expand...

Not sure about that. Does not look like the hackberry I have.

I would vote maple family. Take a piece to a green house. They should be able to help you out.

http://www.oplin.org/tree/

This is the site I use to ID wood. Click on the section to ID by name. There are bark pics listed under the tree names.
 
Looks like maple to me as well. Kind of hard to tell from the pics though.
 
Sure you can. I don't like maple bark, but the wood is just fine. In fact I have a green ham I'm thawing that I'll somke this weekend with maple, apple, and hickory.
 
Blutch said:
Can you smoke with Maple? I don't hear people talk about it.

B
Click to expand...
Thats because people dont get much of it!!

Yes, indeed you can use it.

I wold use it on something mild, like turkey or chicken
 
I use maple and love it.

I read a book on BBQ wood a while back. What was interesting to me was it said the wood you use is based on the region you live in. You will use what is available.

For example: Maple is used more in the north east because there is plenty of it. Mesquite in the south west for the same reason.
 
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