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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bigcountry on May 25, 2008, 12:52:00 PM

Title: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 25, 2008, 12:52:00 PM
Guys, I know its stupid question, but I have trouble identifying hickory.

I have this one tree in my front yard I am thinking of cutting and trying to decide if its bowmaking material or not.

Can you identify?

 (http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bigcountry_ky/Trees/IMG_0053.jpg?t=1211734322)
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 25, 2008, 12:53:00 PM
Here's another tree with simular leaves.

 (http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bigcountry_ky/Trees/IMG_0054.jpg?t=1211734388)
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 25, 2008, 12:54:00 PM
And this one, I can't tell if its a young hickory or black locust.

 (http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bigcountry_ky/Trees/IMG_0055.jpg?t=1211734453)
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: pine nut on May 25, 2008, 01:03:00 PM
I can't tell from the pics. Need better shot of a whole single leaf with leaflets attached and a more detailled shot of the bark.  Also the bud at the end of a twig would help.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 25, 2008, 01:23:00 PM
Here is a close up of the bark

 (http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bigcountry_ky/Trees/IMG_0058.jpg?t=1211736143)

And closeup of the leaves

 (http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn73/bigcountry_ky/Trees/IMG_0059.jpg?t=1211736185)
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: john1271 on May 25, 2008, 01:32:00 PM
looks like hickory to me
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: adeeden on May 25, 2008, 01:34:00 PM
Top ones definitly hickory, can't tell for sure on the others but the 3rd one sure looks like it as well.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 25, 2008, 01:37:00 PM
But which hickory?  Is this pignut, or mockernut, or bitternut.  I know it can't be a shagbark?  Can it?

If it is, I got myself some wood to make a bow.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: adeeden on May 25, 2008, 01:40:00 PM
It's what we call pignut around here.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: Fletcher on May 25, 2008, 03:39:00 PM
Tree #3 could be a hickory, but it absolutely is not black locust.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 25, 2008, 09:22:00 PM
Thanks guys, I think I might cut her in late summer and try to get some staves out of her.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: trip on May 26, 2008, 12:23:00 AM
Are the leaves alternate or opposite?  In other words, do they attach to the tree branch exactly across from each other or do they attach in a staggered (alternate) manner?  Just curious -- Alternate leaves = hickory
Opposite leaves = ash

Just an easy way to tell hickories and ashes (both compound leaved trees) apart.

Best guess - Pignut hickory or Pumpkin ash.  Couldn't tell from the pics if the leaves were alt. or opp. Good Luck!
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: Liquid Amber on May 26, 2008, 08:56:00 AM
It's hickory.  

Cut it late in the spring and you can peel the bark right off.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 26, 2008, 09:59:00 AM
Trip, not sure if I understand.  I ain't the swiftest one however.  

Liquid Amber, thats, so right now is the time?
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: Pat B on May 26, 2008, 10:52:00 AM
Anytime during the growing season the bark will "slip". I prefer to cut white wood during the spring so the wood under the bark in mature(from last years growth). If you wait until later in the season the wood under the bark is new growth and in my opinion not as strong as the year old stuff.     Pat
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on May 26, 2008, 11:00:00 AM
this is pignut Hickory
(http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact%20pages/hickory_pignut/leaf.jpg)
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 26, 2008, 11:26:00 AM
See thats the one thing that bothers me.  I have seen that picture before mystic and those leaves are little different than what I shown in my picture.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on May 26, 2008, 11:31:00 AM
This is the webpage I got it from.  What Tree is it (http://www.oplin.org/tree/)
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 26, 2008, 12:01:00 PM
Ok, I figured out the alternating thing.  Definate alternates. Couldn't find an ash on my property.

Thnaks again for the info.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: darb on May 27, 2008, 07:28:00 AM
search Ohio division of forestry.  There Tree index is great.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: trip on May 27, 2008, 11:33:00 AM
Good deal BC. Not all leaves of the same type tree will look exactly the same, especially on younger (saplings) trees.  Usually, b/c they are in the understory (in the shadows of larger trees), their leaves may be larger and slightly rounder--probably an adaptation to capture as much sunlight as possible.  That's just my opinion from personal experience.  Liquid Amber could probably give us a great deal of information as well. He's a real forester! Very cool!  :cool:  Glad to see other plant geeks besides myself on board!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: onemississipp on May 27, 2008, 02:06:00 PM
Here you go Hickory help...

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/tree-key/hickory-key.htm#2

Looks like a Carya tomentosa (mockernut hickory)
hard to tell with out seeing it.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: Liquid Amber on May 27, 2008, 07:02:00 PM
If I had to guess from the photos...mockernut.
Title: Re: Tree ID help
Post by: bigcountry on May 27, 2008, 09:26:00 PM
Oh yea, now everything is so clear.  Not.  

Well, you know I am 95% sure its a hickory and that good enough for me to build a bow out of.  Or atleast try.

Thanks guys for your help.