I officially started the adventure today. I found a craigslist posting for some free maple, and went to pick it up on my lunch break. Let the hoarding begin.
So apart from good ol' experience. How do you guys ID wood? I have a document from the MSU extension office that will definitely work, but I was thinking about making a cheat sheet for local species.
Take pics of the bark, end grain, split grain, and leaves, if they are there. Then, post them here and go with the majority of opinions.
Welcome to the forum casualty. Looks like you are about 50-60 miles from me. Once you start, pray that it keeps coming! On the cheat sheet, that is a good idea. I just started out by being able to ID a couple species. After a few month, a couple more, etc., etc. It can be a long process but just get started and see how it goes.
Nice score there, and welcome to the club! Wood ID is an acquired skill. do a little Googling on bark and leaf ID, post here often, and don't be afraid to use senses other than your eyes. The smell of a tree can tell a lot - that Norway Maple that (I think) you have there can be mistaken for ash if you're looking at the bark, but they smell totally different, and the bark differences will come in time to you. There are other tricks too - Aspen or Poplar can be confused for white birch, but the feel of the bark is a dead giveaway; birch feels dry and papery, aspen feels waxy in comparison - and the trunk of a mature tree will have brown, vertically ribbed bark. Ash can be identified even dead without bark by the tiny pinhole in the center of most trees. Learning the trees is fun, and you'll soon have a keen eye for your local species.
Sing after me, boys and girls- “Free Wood, Free Wood that’s my favorite brand. If I didn’t have to buy it, it’s the best wood in the land. Ash, oak, hickory, it doesn’t matter to me! The best wood in this whole world is down, cut up and FREEEEEEEE!”
