Put a Cork in it!

Local private college has a spot where they pile up trees and branches from storm damage and regular trimming. I have permission to cut firewood there. Talk about a variety of species, I am not sure what alot of this stuff is. Kind of makes it fun. Thought I would share this recent find, had me scratching my head for bit. Turns out to be Amur Cork Tree. Another invasive used for landscaping. The bright yellow cambium layer caught my eye and they were all nice sized logs(14-16"). The bark has deep furrows but is soft and almost squishy(like a cork). The bright yellow cambium is soggy and you can squeeze the water out. The wood is heavy and wet, fairly large growth rings and splits easily. Kind of reminds me of a Sumac type wood. I peeled the bark off to speed the drying process. Unsure on the BTU content, just curious to process it and see how it burns.

 

Neat looking wood. Congrats.

 

That's a new one to me. Keep us updated.

 

that is cool! Some bright wood for sure! Keep us updated and let us know how it turns out! The split in the first pic...the grain reminds me of ash! Arent natural corks made from tree bark?

Thanks for sharing imwiley1 !

 

I’m guessing similar to willow. Thanks for pics

 

Yes, cork is from the bark not the wood. The only info I found says the wood is heavy even when dry.

 

How much of this did you take? What are some of the other interesting species you've taken?

 

I wonder if cooking chunks in wax would make good fire starters.

 

Sounds like an interesting wood, wonder if the color will stay yellow like that...or be like locust and turn a bit red? Relatively easy to split might be like cottonwood...but guess theres a bit more to wait for on that.