The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: 123maxbars on September 11, 2011, 09:48:33 PM

Title: Help identify Tree,
Post by: 123maxbars on September 11, 2011, 09:48:33 PM
I cut this tree today, was given to me and there are five more just like it. The owner thinks it is wild cherry, Here are a few pics I took tonight after I felled it. Any help will be appreciated.  Thanks!!

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/25380/cherry_1.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/25380/cherry_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Help identify Tree,
Post by: WDH on September 11, 2011, 10:28:34 PM
Definitely not a cherry.  The leaves are arranged opposite each other on the stem versus alternating as in cherry.  It also looks like the leaves are compound with three leaflets versus the simple leaf (single leaf blade per petiole) of cherry.

What you have appears to be box elder.
Title: Re: Help identify Tree,
Post by: 123maxbars on September 11, 2011, 10:39:36 PM
Thanks I just did a search and that looks just like what I was given, never messed or heard of this type of wood before, Is it worth putting on the mill?
Title: Re: Help identify Tree,
Post by: WDH on September 11, 2011, 10:44:46 PM
Box elder is in the maple family.  The wood is a softer than soft maple, but it is still a hardwood.  Sometimes the heartwood has a red star burst pattern that is prized by the bowl turners.  It would be good for small boxes, chests, maybe wainscott paneling, etc.  Unless the heartwood has the red star burst pattern, the wood is not highly figured and does not have a prominent grain like oak or ash.
Title: Re: Help identify Tree,
Post by: 123maxbars on September 11, 2011, 11:09:11 PM
Thanks for your help, they heartwood does have some red in it. I was given 6 of them, i will probably get around 6 seven foot 14in diam logs out of them. Going to put them on the mill and hopefully get luck with some nice red grains. 
Title: Re: Help identify Tree,
Post by: SwampDonkey on September 22, 2011, 11:43:06 AM
Looks like boxelder to me to. It is also planted outside it's natural range and becomes invasive.