If it's Bradford pear you'll like it. I can't remember the Bradford pear I have being light when I first split it or not. It seems like it's darker but that may be something that happens after it dries.
Looks like Bradford Pear to me also... when it split did make kinda of cracking noise... should be fairly easy and clean to split.. from what I've seen....
I did not smell it at the time. I haven't split much more of it. Was a mixed trailer load. I'll sniff it if i see some more.
I don't recall any special noise. Although to be fair, the spiltter is very loud and I had ear buds in playing music.