Help identifying wood

[dsp2]

Hi, everyone. A friend noticed some free wood a couple towns over a few weeks ago. This is in Cranford, NJ (Union County). The person whose tree it was didn't know its type. I tried using this tree finder thing we have at home as well as a Union County online decision tree (pun intended!). I also emailed the Cranford department of public works, but haven't yet heard back.

My best guesses are Dogwood or Catalpa. But to be clear, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Does anyone know what kind of tree this is? Also, immediate follow up question - can I use it in my stick burner?

 

[SteveKing]

Looks like locust to me. I'm not expert though. Any leaves available? I saw one leaf, but I'm assuming its not from that tree

 

[dsp2]

Looks like locust to me. I'm not expert though. Any leaves available? I saw one leaf, but I'm assuming its not from that tree

Thank you! The leaf I put on top of one of the pieces of wood was, I think, from the same tree. The lady had a pile of smaller branches with leaves right next to the bigger pieces, so I plucked a leaf for reference.

Thank you again for the help!

 

[SteveKing]

If that leaf belongs to the tree its not a locust

 

[Pb's BBQ]

Mulberry.

 

[Pb's BBQ]

It will take forever to dry out, so I wouldn't use it as the primary fuel source. You could supplement a stick of it every now and then to get some good smoke.

 

[dsp2]

Thank you! You're pretty sure it's Mulberry? So I should split it into splits and basically wait? Just put it off to the side and occasionally use a stick every now and then for extra smoke?

Thanks again for the help!

 

[BobBrisket]

The bark is very much like mulberry. The edges of the leaf are bit torn up, but if you do an online search for mulberry leaves, there are two distinct types. One is much more serrated. The other is tear drop shaped. That might be the tear drop version.

 

[dsp2]

You folks are awesome. Thank you!!

 

[SteveKing]

I'm not saying its not Mullberry, but I would think the owner of the tree would notice that it has delicious berries every summer.

 

[BobBrisket]

I'm not saying its not Mullberry, but I would think the owner of the tree would notice that it has delicious berries every summer.

One type (serrated leaves) puts forth berries. The tear drop version for the most part doesn't. They are both known for being vicious trees for allergy and asthma sufferers due to the amount of pollen they put out. Bad enough that they are actually banned in our area.
The smoke actually smells a lot like burned sugar/cotton candy. If you split one of those logs in half and the inside is a yellowish color, it is most likely a mulberry. Mulberry also pops and snaps like crazy when burned. One reason it isn't a good wood for indoor burning in the fireplace. It shoots out embers like mad! LOL! Other than that, it is good stuff. BTW, I got chewed out by my mom LOTS of times as a kid for tracking in mulberries on the bottoms of my shoes and staining the tile and carpet after my friends and I would raid the local mulberry and eat berries from it!! :-D

Bob

 

[SteveKing]

Didn't realize only one kind pops out the berries. They make a mighty fine pie