Dead Red?

This was left at my place today. I have no clue from whom: Secret Santa? After all, tis the season for giving!


I'm guessing a dead, formerly standing, red maple. What say ye?

 

Nice rams horn

 

I concur with your dead red maple verdict
Could this be another gift from Chipdrop Ralphie Boy ?

 

That looks like some mighty fine firewood! I never come home to firewood gifts... Don't think Santa likes me

 

glad the wood was free, because the shipping was almost a deal breaker!

 

Just cheched my emsil at 6pm and found the notices from Chip Drop.

 

Last pic looks like elm. Could it be elm RB? Cant say ive seen red maple barkless with good meat. Typical of an elm to lose bark like that when dead.

 

Maybe he tried to bring some rounds down the chimney and your fire was going. He burned his azz and is still POed about it!

 

Could be Brad, I haven't had much of either to be 100% sure. Guess I'll find out for sure when I fire up the splitter.

 

I was looking at the photos and it very much looks like elm.

 

I’m changing my vote to elm. I’ve seen some red maple with similar bark but never a dead one that was that solid looking. The discolored heart wood says elm more than maple. As does the way the bark is off, leaving a coating of “dirt” on the surface which the bark beetles excreted.

 

Ive cut plenty of red maple as its the most common tree here in Connecticut. Some of the bark has a red maple look to it. Most of the time when ive seen them dead the bark stays attached and goes punky while still standing.

Im curious to see how that splits for you when the time comes. Be sure to post pics.

 

Yeah I would say what you have Ralphie Boy is a dead ringer for the couple American elm scores I’ve gotten. Funny how once I see the words “red maple” my mind goes to great lengths to convince myself that’s what it is.

 

By the looks of your picture I'd have to agree with you elm call. The splitter will tell.

 

It’s dead enough. It’ll split fine

 

Heartwood says elm.

 

I was doing the same. The power of suggestion huh?

 

It's how groupthink starts. Show a Rorschach inkblot test to someone and ask them if they see a horse. Chances are they might agree with you. Instead, ask them what they see first and it might be a Buick.