smelly cedar

[scot wolf]

This cedar is is my grandma's yard. Very close to house, so I am going to take it down before a Strom comes along.  Can't tell by the pic but it is big. 32+" 2' above ground and 18+' to the first knot.  Should I try  to have it milled?

 

[Ianab]

Can't tell the exact species from that picture, but the log looks useful, and pretty much all those "cedar" species are useful for something. There's a risk of metal in a yard tree, so have a close look at it and run a metal detector over it first if you can.

Closeup of the leaves might help with the ID. Hard to tell, but it looks a bit like Cryptomeria japonica or Japanese Cedar? Often planted as an ornamental. Not a true cedar, but still has nice timber,

Ian

[Shotgun]

Scott Wolf, how about putting your general location in your profile (e.g. Central wherever, or nearest city/village, state) .  That insures that we know where you're coming from to enable a more concise offer of assistance, or response to your posts.  That doesn't look like the cedar that we have in Michigan.  Thanks for considering modifying your profile. "Cedar" is a relative term, considering the geographical location.

[scot wolf]

Thanks, will do.  The tree is in central Illinois. Maybe it isn't cedar at all. I did take another one out a few years ago from the other side of her house, it was aromatic cedar.

[highleadtimber16]

Looks like a spruce to me. I don't know much about the trees you guys have that way, but it definitely doesn't look like cedar.

[Magicman]

Whatever it is, I would saw it.  If the butt does appear to have metal, there should still be at least one good log.

Just curious, why do you think that it is about to be taken out by a storm?

[Brleclaire]

I'm going with spruce also

[Ianab]

Spruce doesn't have much smell though? The way it droops and has fresh green shoots on the ends reminds me of Japanese Cedar. But of couse thats not really a cedar either

[barbender]

I'd put money on it being a spruce. If the needles smell "skunky" when crushed, it's likely a white spruce, unless it is an imported species like Norway spruce. I'm not familiar with those. Either way, any spruce makes nice light and straight lumber if it is knot free.

[hunz]

That is most definitely a spruce. I could be wrong, but here in NC that is exactly what ours look like ;)

[dboyt]

Species doesn't matter... that tree has a nice log in it!  You're going to cut it down?  Unless you're insured and bonded, or Grandma & her neighbors have some really good insurance, leave it to an arborist.  Looks like very little margin for error on putting it on the ground.  I know tree trimmers aren't cheap, but they earn their pay.

[scot wolf]

Whatever it is, I would saw it.  If the butt does appear to have metal, there should still be at least one good log.

Just curious, why do you think that it is about to be taken out by a storm?

It is on the west side of the house, is close to it, leaning towards it.  We have a very high deductable on the insurance on that place.



 

[thecfarm]

Looks like there is a cement,tar walkway. If you cut it,might want to lay a few tires,with no rims, on the walkway. I doubt the limbs would let it hit hard enough to break the walkway,but you never know.

[scot wolf]

Species doesn't matter... that tree has a nice log in it!  You're going to cut it down?  Unless you're insured and bonded, or Grandma & her neighbors have some really good insurance, leave it to an arborist.  Looks like very little margin for error on putting it on the ground.  I know tree trimmers aren't cheap, but they earn their pay.

My uncle has a hi lift.  We took out one closer to the house than that a couple years ago. Just started in the lower limbs working our way up then cut the "christmas" tree off the top. Then worked back down.

[WDH]

I think that it is Norway spruce, Picea abies.  It has the drooping branchlets of Norway spruce.

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=99

[scot wolf]

I think that it is Norway spruce, Picea abies.  It has the drooping branchlets of Norway spruce.

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=99

I do believe that is it.