wood id service?

[Greg]

Hey,

(Sorry if this might be a bit off topic, but...)

I purchased a large pile of 4x6" x 12' beams a few years ago at an auction for about $30. I was told at the time they were poplar.

They were pretty heavy when I loaded them in my truck - but never gave 'em a second thought. They were whitewashed over some red ugly paint. This weekend I finally had a chance to sort through them, preparing to cut some joinery (braces and girts) for a small timberframe building.

Lo and behold these suckers seem to be first growth walnut. Very dark and dense stuff, I bet 15 growth rings per inch! I don't  know what else it could be besides walnut.

These came out of a barn in KY some time ago, don't know when exactly. Any advice on how I could get the wood id'd to know for sure. I was thinking maybe Woodcraft, or at least they should know who to ask.

Neat treasure to come across, stacked for years in my own barn ;-)

Greg

[Jeff]

You might try our tree and plant I.D. board ;D

https://forestryforum.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=tree_id

[OneWithWood]

Greg,

Get yourself o copy of this book:

Understanding Wood: A Craftman's Guide to Wood Technology -- by R. Bruce Hoadley; Hardcover

It is on sale at amazon.com right now for $28 new or $24 used

I have just started reading it.  It is fascinating.  If you read it you will acquire the knowledge to identify your beams and a whole lot more.  This book should be required reading for anyone who plays with wood.

[Texas Ranger]

A good clean close up of the cross grain may allow some of us on the board to help ID it.  No guarentee, but there are a bunch of knowledgable folks here.

[Tom]

Poplar is touted as looking like Walnut and is used as such because of the similarities in grain.  I don't know about the weight.

The University of Florida will except as many as 4 or 5 different samples per year per individual for identification. They teach students on the micro level with them.  Other schools may do the same.

[sawyerkirk]

are there any bug holes in them? I've never seen a bug eat walnut heart wood.again, if you could post a pick of the end grain we could help ID it. you might be able to shave off a piece and put it over a lighter, it should still give off the walnut smell.