A couple of months ago I cut up the trunk from a tree which had fallen at a buddy’s place. He said it had been standing dead for a decade or so. It was quite dry, ~18% (even after laying on the ground for two months). I burned a few of the smaller pieces in April and it burned as hot, maybe hotter than my normal red oak. Left a good amount of coals as well. It has pretty thick bark (most of it was still firmly attached to the tree trunk, even after falling down). Has a lighter color than dried red oak and has a pleasant smell but I can’t determine exactly what it reminds me of. Maybe vanilla but with hints of black pepper. He told me it was ash, but I wanted to get confirmation. I have about a face cord stacked in my barn for next winter. Any help?
I’m seeing ash as well. In the second picture you can see EAB trails on one of the splits, and in the third picture you can see a small pin hole in the center pith, which is indicative of ash. Nice score
Never saw ash with that dark of heart wood and lighter sap wood. But i agree with ash borer tracks. Looks like hickory with those colors inside.
Welcome to the forum! Ash definitely is one wood that has a long life. I've had some on the ground and even some I had cut to length I left in the woods once for a year. That was even under water for a few months. Once it dried it burned great.
Consensus says ash, thanks everyone! What is strange is I have seen those sorts of trails on wood that is definitely not ash as well. As a matter a fact I have pine and silver maple right now with insect trails.
There are plenty of different beetle species that feed on the cambium layer under the bark. You'll find tracks on elm, spruce, pine, etc.
