I found a cool double-trunk shagbark today. My theory on multiple-trunk hickories is that the tree suffered some sort of trauma and sprouted a second trunk just in case. Otherwise, they are just not multi-trunk trees. My theory holds with this one, since right where the trunk splits the tree has completely engulfed an old wire fence.
Not a hickory but another fun tree. This time an elm. A big dead ash fell on top of it, pinning it to the ground without snapping the trunk. The tree sprouted a new "trunk" which is now about 30 feet high. It's been working on this new trunk for 7 or 8 years now. The whole (original) trunk remains very much alive, but it only sprouts leaves off the new trunk. I can't wait to see what happens with this tree in the coming years.
Split a bunch of what Im pretty sure is mockernut today. You can see its much more pink compared to shag or shell.
Your second photo has a little of the diamond pattern that I sometimes see in what I think is mockernut. The bark is darker than what I see here, but that could be the age of the trees, different climate, or who know what else. Thanks for the photos. I agree. Looks stringy and tight grained like hickory, but definitely more pink / salmon color than I see in shellback or shagbark.
Def got those. Maybe what I processed yesterday was bitter nut Ill have to check the trunk when I get home and snap a pic.
That bark is like concrete. It’s harder on chains than any other tree in this area; including hedge… it is definitely not mocker nut when i see the picture above
