I'm still going with ash. The pinhole in the center of the round combined with the larva tracks just say ash. Having said that, I have to say the only poplar I've ever cut is tulip poplar and that doesn't look anything like the pictures of the splits here. All the tulip I've split has a funky, kind of green colored center. And it has so much moisture in it that it "spits" water back at you when the wedge is driven into it. I've split a lot of ash that looks like the first picture here. Not sure what causes the dark spots but I thinks it's bugs of some sort.
It's not an easy ID as the bark is simular.. Ash should have tighter growth rings than Tulip, maybe half the size or so. Tulip does have a white/greenish look to the heartwood and the trunks are typically very straight.. After their dry, tulip will wiegh less than the ash. My guess is Tulip.
I wonder if it's an Eastern Cottonwood... although the ones up by me have more deeply pronounced furrowed bark.
I’ve noticed some variation in Poplar bark on older trees. I’ll take some pics tomorrow of big and small poplar in my yard. I may be mistaken, but I think aged poplar wood will lose some of the heartwood coloring. There is a poplar log that I cut down over a year ago. I’ll slice it up and take pics. Maybe the coloring is dependent on moisture level?
A Chainsaw test will determine what it is for sure. The tunnels look just like eab activity. Any D shape holes in bark?
Folks I hate to break this too you but flathead borers (of which the emerald ash borer is a member) will feed on many different tree species. I've see those same tracks in maple, birch, oak, poplar etc. Here's evidence of the bronze birch borer Here's a flathead poplar borer In the US there are about 7,000 different members in the family. If the wood is super light its likely poplar not ash. Ash should have a seasoned weight similar to wild black cherry wood. Poplar is much lighter for the same size wood. I believe what you have there is poplar.
This is one of the things that makes me think it's poplar. There's a lot of kinds of poplar across the continent.
Like I've said before, borer bugs go after more than just ash. I've seen the same tracks on poplar under the bark. I'm with you on this Barcroftb . I believe this is a Poplar.
I did blow up the pics to look for the D holes but couldn't detect any except in the 3rd pic but the holes look more O shape.
It's farwood...... It might be poplar, does have the paper inner bark. I'm only familiar with tulip poplar, and I get fooled by that sometimes. Thought this was tulip poplar when I got it, didnt have any green heart. I think it was black gum...gave the splitter a fit.
In the last picture, when I zoom in on the bark that is coming off the tree, I see the fibrous material that looks exactly like what I see on tulip poplar bark as it starts to break off so I’m going with poplar. I haven’t seen that on ash trees before. Also, smaller poplar trees don’t always develop that green color towards the middle.
This one is a fooler...with a cursory look it certainly does look like ash...but the longer I look at it, the more I'm leaning poplar. Like has been mentioned, weight would tell the story (especially once dry!)
I appreciate all the responses from you!! I’ve added a couple more split pics. Sitting right beside the beautiful Red Oak that I grabbed from a neighbor who dropped the tree and let me cut up the 30’ trunk. I’m hoping it’s Ash because of the higher BTU. But poplar isn’t that bad to use in an outdoor fireplace or den fireplace just to heat up the surrounding area?
Poplar doesn't have as many BTU's as ash, but it still will heat up a room. You'll just need to reload sooner. It lights quickly, even quicker than ash.
Certainly not...its a good shoulder season wood here...would probably even be fine firewood for heating a good percentage of the winter in NC I'd guess...
