The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: Lostalaskan on March 19, 2019, 11:48:46 PM

Title: New to milling... new to tree ID
Post by: Lostalaskan on March 19, 2019, 11:48:46 PM
Hey guys, long time reader first time poster. I have got into chainsaw milling in order to turn a ponderosa pine into a horse barn, and now I am hooked. Every tree that I see blown over has me wondering what it looks like on the inside. I came across this tree and was told it was walnut, but it doesn't look like I thought it would. Northern California, but was planted, not native to this property. 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/54812/Attach22830_20190214_132626.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1553053598)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/54812/Attach24480_20190319_190903.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1553053597)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/54812/Attach24432_20190319_105248.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1553053597)
 
Title: Re: New to milling... new to tree ID
Post by: WDH on March 20, 2019, 08:35:29 AM
Definitely not walnut.  Do the twigs come off the branch opposite of each other, or do they alternate one side to the next?
Title: Re: New to milling... new to tree ID
Post by: Lostalaskan on March 21, 2019, 02:34:55 PM
They appear to be opposing to me. 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/54812/20190321_112533.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1553193250)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/54812/20190321_112710.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1553193245)
 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/54812/20190321_112625.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1553193244)
 
Title: Re: New to milling... new to tree ID
Post by: Lostalaskan on March 21, 2019, 03:17:38 PM
Your question led me down a "ID tree by bark" website and I am being pointed to some type of Maple. 
Title: Re: New to milling... new to tree ID
Post by: WDH on March 21, 2019, 08:55:02 PM
It is certainly a maple.  Hence, the question about the branching. 
Title: Re: New to milling... new to tree ID
Post by: Lostalaskan on March 21, 2019, 09:02:34 PM
Got it, is there anything to look for that will identify the species of maple? It has buds coming so I may be able to see leaf color/shape/texture soon. Thanks for the help with this WDH, it looks like any of the subspecies are worth milling up (no fatal flaws that I saw in my research, other than low value of the heartwood).
Title: Re: New to milling... new to tree ID
Post by: WDH on March 21, 2019, 09:13:05 PM
If it native, then it is likely big leaf maple.

Virginia Tech Dendrology Fact Sheet (http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=187)