I finally broke down and bought a copy of "Native Trees of the S.E." but I'm struggling with identifying the different types of buds and other structures on the twigs. For Tree 1, I followed the winter key and came up with water tupelo or black walnut and neither one of those look like the bark on my tree. I hope the pics of the twigs are good enough for you guys to walk me through the keys to the correct ID. These trees are in the N. Ga. mountains.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0751%7E0.JPG)
Tree 1
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0750%7E0.JPG)
Tree 1
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0747.JPG)
Bark on main trunk, Tree 1
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0749.JPG)
bark on secondary trunk, Tree 1
Also, what kind of tree has these:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0746.JPG)
Tree 2
This is a different tree from the one above.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0744.JPG)
Tree 2
bark on second tree
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28750/IMG_0752.JPG)
Tree 2 bud
First one looks like black walnut.
Second one, not sure, might be cucumber tree.
I would agree with you on that except that the bark doesn't look anything like the black walnut in the book. ???
Quoteand neither one of those look like the bark on my tree
implies one tree.
So, are we looking at pics of the bark on two different trees, or one tree?
Sorry :-[, I probably should have started two threads. My opening paragraph was referring to the first set of pics. I added the last two pics of another tree after my original posting. I'll go back and label the pics.
On the walnut, cut the twig lengthwise. Black walnut pith has cross chambers. The bark looks like all the black walnut trees in my woods in MO.
The bark will vary a bit depending upon how fast it is growing, local variation and so on. The moss on the bark is a big give away. Also, usually poison ivy will be lurking nearby.
Yes, it does have cross chambers. I have sawn a number of smaller black walnut trees and the bark looked like the pic in the book. I'm confused...
That's what it is. If you cut it down, you can be sure. :o
Of course, it stops growing then....... :'(
mesquite buckeye, I guess you added the explanation of the bark after I first read it. This is a much larger tree than any of the black walnuts I have seen...probably 38" at the base.
Were those walnuts yard trees or woods trees? Yard trees usually dry out too much for the moss to grow very well, and they grow faster, which stretches the bark out. The photo is a fairly slow growing individual.
And yes, I am very sneaky that way...... ;D
Quote from: mesquite buckeye on March 07, 2013, 07:12:32 PM
That's what it is. If you cut it down, you can be sure. :o
Of course, it stops growing then....... :'(
The tree was blown down by a tornado two years ago. It's still partially rooted and putting out new growth. This thing is HUGE.
Quote from: mesquite buckeye on March 07, 2013, 07:15:10 PM
Were those walnuts yard trees or woods trees? Yard trees usually dry out too much for the moss to grow very well, and they grow faster, which stretches the bark out. The photo is a fairly slow growing individual.
And yes, I am very sneaky that way...... ;D
It was growing in a fairly open, wooded area. Not a yard tree.
Time to get a thousand board feet of black walnut, I'd say. Hope it is yours.
If not, you might be able to trade for "cleaning up that down tree in the woods". Doesn't hurt to ask.
Don't put too much stock in what the bark looks like in the photos of the book. Regional differences can be pretty significant. Check the tree's overall form as well. The twigs on a black walnut will also look thick compared to other non-nut trees.
The pics of the buds look like black walnut. Chambered pith of those twigs would confirm that it is BW
As does the bark.
Thanks for the help guys. Black Walnut it is.
I added a pic of a twig from Tree 2 at the bottom of the first post. I followed the keys and came up with tulip poplar, which is what I thought it was. The course texture of the bark and the dried thing with petals (don't know what to call it) threw me. That "thing" being near the top of the tree had the tree still been standing isn't something you would normally get a look at.
Quote from: Ga Mtn Man on March 07, 2013, 07:41:10 PM
Thanks for the help guys. Black Walnut it is.
I added a pic of a twig from Tree 2 at the bottom of the first post. I followed the keys and came up with tulip poplar, which is what I thought it was. The course texture of the bark and the dried thing with petals (don't know what to call it) threw me. That "thing" being near the top of the tree had the tree still been standing isn't something you would normally get a look at.
That sounds right. That thing is what is left after the flower goes to seed and the seeds blow away.
Agree on the tulip poplar. We are loaded with them around here, and they all have those old flowers left on them. If you get to mill that poplar, it will have a good amount of stress in it. At least that's my experience with them, no matter how straight they are. JMHO
That was my experience too with poplar. I'm not even sure if I want to saw it. I need to find a market for it before I do...
Paul,
You are doing great! To narrow it down like that with just twigs and bark is hard to do. The second tree is definitely yellow poplar. Keep studying the bark. It will be your friend. I ID by bark 95% of the time.
When I took my certified arborist exam we had to identify 20 tree's by the twigs alone. It is the most accurate way but usually every detail of the tree from over all growth habit to branching to bud scale scars to bark is the way to go. Im still not very good at it sometimes but keep learning.
Yes. With some trees, you only need one characteristic, with others, you need three or four.
Quote from: WDH on March 07, 2013, 08:28:14 PM
Paul,
You are doing great! To narrow it down like that with just twigs and bark is hard to do. The second tree is definitely yellow poplar. Keep studying the bark. It will be your friend. I ID by bark 95% of the time.
Thanks, Danny! The size and age of these two trees are what made IDing the bark difficult for me. I'm used to seeing younger trees. Doesn't black walnut usually have a woven pattern to the bark? So, what do you call that "thing" that's left on a poplar after the flower falls off? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
It is called an aggregate of samaras :). Really :). The base of it is called a bract.
"aggregate of samaras" ::) I think you just make this stuff up Danny. :D
It is the truth, I swear! (The flower is very pretty in the spring ;D).
Maple fruits are samaras, also elm.......
Tulip trees are in the magnolia family, a very ancient and primitive group of angiosperms. :)
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/flowerpower/poplar.html