In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Wood I.D.

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by Old Nate, Oct 11, 2020.

  1. Old Nate

    Old Nate

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2019
    Messages:
    328
    Likes Received:
    1,489
    Location:
    Western PA
    A friend of mine cut this down. Told me it was Japanese maple. It is incredibly dense and heavy... tried hand splitting and the Fiskars wasn’t even sticking. The splitter did the trick but it was tough stuff! He had just moved into a new house and by the time I got there this was stacked and ready for me to load in the truck. So I didn’t see so much as a leaf.

    Was he right? I’ve never burned Japanese maple... is it dense and heavy like this. Or was he mistaken?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Chud

    Chud

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2020
    Messages:
    5,492
    Likes Received:
    37,350
    Location:
    NC
    Looks like it could be Japanese Maple. It is hard wood with smooth bark. Similar to Am Hornbeam to weight and density.
     
    Horkn, Backwoods Savage and Midwinter like this.
  3. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2019
    Messages:
    2,519
    Likes Received:
    12,090
    Location:
    NY
    100% Japanese maple. I have a dozen of them or more on the property. Very dense, very unique. Love it. I split it just fine with the x27.
     
    Horkn, Backwoods Savage and Midwinter like this.
  4. MAF143

    MAF143

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2018
    Messages:
    1,400
    Likes Received:
    9,458
    Location:
    North Central OH
    Chuck Norris splits it with a Karate chop...
     
    Horkn and Backwoods Savage like this.
  5. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    27,356
    Likes Received:
    163,119
    Location:
    North Haven, Connecticut
    Not familiar with JM, but looks like dense wood.
     
    Horkn and Backwoods Savage like this.
  6. Backwoods Savage

    Backwoods Savage Moderator

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2013
    Messages:
    43,285
    Likes Received:
    267,912
    Location:
    Central MI
    Looks a lot like blue beech too.
     
    Horkn likes this.
  7. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2019
    Messages:
    2,519
    Likes Received:
    12,090
    Location:
    NY
    The leaves smell like tea as well, especially when you mulch them up through a chipper/shredder.
     
    Midwinter and Horkn like this.
  8. Old Nate

    Old Nate

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2019
    Messages:
    328
    Likes Received:
    1,489
    Location:
    Western PA
    Some of it split easily and some was slightly twisted and just wouldn’t cooperate. Maybe I’m just spoiled since getting my splitter. Regardless it’s in with the rest of my sugar maple stacks.
     
    Midwinter, Horkn and LordOfTheFlies like this.
  9. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2019
    Messages:
    2,519
    Likes Received:
    12,090
    Location:
    NY
    I have a 34-ton splitter and I still enjoy using the maul more. I've been spoiling myself......by giving away all the knotty stuff and/or throwing it out at the dump in exchange for nice straight pieces. :D I just would rather use the maul over the splitter.
     
    Midwinter and Horkn like this.
  10. Old Nate

    Old Nate

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2019
    Messages:
    328
    Likes Received:
    1,489
    Location:
    Western PA
    Splitting by hand is definitely satisfying and relaxing. You dont need much. An ax/maul and wood. All of my wood up to this past year was split by hand and it felt good knowing I did that. But that splitter has enabled me to get much more done than I could have without it.
     
    Midwinter and LordOfTheFlies like this.
  11. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2019
    Messages:
    2,519
    Likes Received:
    12,090
    Location:
    NY
    I find it useful for sure but there's the time it takes to wheel it out and move everything else so I can do so, then the noise and the fuel......So if I can, I'll avoid using it....except I kind of have to use it soon on some nasty hard pieces of beech. Elm I was able to split with a little effort using the maul. The wedges are great though.
     
    Midwinter likes this.