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Started by oakiemac, November 28, 2005, 06:34:22 PM

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oakiemac

I bought a bunch of logs that were just thrown in a big pile in a field. Some have been there 2-3 years. There is a lot of different species. So far I have found Walnut, red Oak, Silver Maple, Hackberry, Sassafras, Cherry, pine, Ash, tulip Poplar.
Well today I drug out a nice log that was about 24" in diameter and about 9' long. I thought is was walnut because the bark looked exactly like-you guessed it, walnut. I would of bet a hundred bucks that it was walnut. But when I cut into the log the wood was a lighter brown with diffenate grain pattern kind of like Oak. There wasn't a big difference in the sap wood and heart wood. It didn't smell like walnut either when it was cut. The wood to me looked like Butternut and maybe that is what the tree is. I have never cut butternut before and was wondering if the bark looks like walnut?
I have only seen butternut once before so I'm not too good of a judge but it is the only species that I can think of that has the light brownish color that this lumber has.
Any ideas?
Mobile Demension sawmill, Bobcat 873 loader, 3 dry kilns and a long "to do" list.

SwampDonkey

Have a look at the top topic in this section, there are some bark pictures of butternut. I suppose there are no branches left. There are twig pictures showing the differences in the pith in that thread. Get out the jacknife and  shave off the wood down to the pith. I've left butternut on the wet ground before, it's pretty rot resistant.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

oakiemac

SwampDonk, there were no branchs or twigs left on the log. Most of the bark was peeling off but what was there looks like the bark on your butternut picture but I would also say it looks like the bark on the walnut.

Have you ever sawn any Butternut? The wood that I sawed was light brown or tan colored  with only a slightly lighter color in the sapwood. The only other wood that I can think of is Catalpa but the bark looks different then what I saw.
Mobile Demension sawmill, Bobcat 873 loader, 3 dry kilns and a long "to do" list.

SwampDonkey

Yes, I've had some sawn and it looks olive green to me, but the text says its Chestnut brown, which is like you describe. The wood is light too, not as heavy as walnut and softer. It doesn't have a distinct odor like walnut has.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

oakiemac

I didn't notice the walnut oder with the wood that I cut so I am going to say that it is butternut. Thanks for your help. :)
Mobile Demension sawmill, Bobcat 873 loader, 3 dry kilns and a long "to do" list.

Ron Wenrich

How about English or Carpathian walnut?  I've cut a few of those and they have a light brown heart.  I don't recall the smell.  Having laid so long, the smell might not be as strong.

I don't think I've ever cut butternut.  But, that's considered as white walnut and shouldn't be light brown.

When you say "grain like oak", is this an open grained wood?  Ash would fall into that category, and it has a brownish heart. 
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

SwampDonkey

It's definately not dark brown. Of course if you wet it, it's a bit darker.



This is a piece from my stash in the barn.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

oakiemac

It looks a lot like that pic from swampdonk. I don't know what English walnut looks like but I know it ain't Ash.
Mobile Demension sawmill, Bobcat 873 loader, 3 dry kilns and a long "to do" list.

Ron Wenrich

English walnut looks something like chocolate milk.  If you had woods grown trees, chances are that it wasn't English.  They ususally have to be planted.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

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