Identifying Hardwood Logs

Its grain has a straight uniform pattern and the wood tends to get darker with sun exposure.

Identifying hardwood logs.

Most cut logs also will have some bark which can be a good identifier. To identify well seasoned wood check the ends of the logs. If they are dark in colour and cracked they are dry. To begin identifying a tree by its bark look at a larger part of the tree its bark.

If you are uncertain take bark to a forestry or extension office for help. This eliminates the chances of a stain or natural aging skewing the color diagnosis of the wood. Identify wood by scent smell the scent of the wood. Ask yourself these questions.

Identifying an oak log but what does it smell like. Observe the wood grain. If the wood is unfinished then look at the texture of the grain. It makes the heartwood smell like vanilla and then the barrels enhance the white.

The most predictable baseline to use when identifying wood is in a freshly sanded state. Grain will identify most firewood. Many trees are readily identified by their scent. If there is any green colour visible or bark is hard to peel the log is not yet dry.

Check out its texture and look to see if there are any growths like nodes growing on the bark. Question what kind of wood is this. Here is a quick leaf identification key of the common hardwoods in north america. The french like to leave white oak logs in the wood and get lots of white rot in the sapwood.

Trees with broad flat leaves as opposed to coniferous or needled trees. Yellow and black birch present a distinct wintergreen odor. Whether it is shaggy cracked or fissured. It would probably smell more like vanilla at this point.

Woods with a distinct wood grain pattern is valuable while weaker and indistinct pattern are usually stained to give it a character. Wood hardness varies among the. Dry seasoned wood is lighter in weight than wet wood and makes a hollow sound when hitting two pieces together. For the color hardwood lines appear to have a shade of dark brown to black while softwood appears to have shades of yellow tan or amber.

Whether it is thick or thin. Pines and cedars have easily recognisable rough bark oaks and other hardwoods tend to have smoother bark. If you re trying to identify poplar it has a heartwood with a creamy light yellow brown color sometimes with streaks of gray green or even a gray purple hue.