Tree Identification

Grand Scale · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 3:52 am Post subject: Tree Identification

Here's a place to help our fellow BBQ'ers identify that tree standing in your back yard. Is it suitable to smoke? Find out here...
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Bob-BQN · well done Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 12433 Location: Texas

http://www.butler.edu/herbarium/treeid/idintro.html
http://www.oplin.org/tree/
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/mgt/trees/index.shtml
http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeid.cfm
http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/forsite/Idtree.htm
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pages/tree/
http://forestry.msu.edu/uptreeid/default.htm
http://ostermiller.org/tree/
http://www.massmaple.org/treeID.html
http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/trees/
http://www.thejump.net/hunting/plant-id/trees.htm
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/reftree.htm
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/veg/treekey/

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=738 (FORUM FOR TREE ID's)

Another easy way to find information about trees in your area is visit a Botanical Garden, Nature Center, or a Google Search for "tree", "identification" & "YOUR STATE HERE". Wink

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crmos8 · Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

As long as we're discussing "exotic" woods, I was recently asked about using sassafras wood for smoking/grilling. I'm guessing that it's use would be rather limited due to the inherent sweet flavor. Has anyone ever tried it?? I know it's not the most common wood nationwide. I've only ever used the roots for tea back in my Boy Scout days!!
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smokey-bones · well done Joined: 26 Jan 2004 Posts: 627 Location: ohio

great post grand!
great info bob!
this is something that was well over due Very Happy

thx
guys!!!!!!!!!!!

smokey-bones
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BRINKMANN PRO

KBHALE · Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

The first 3 are Boxelder / Ashleaf Maple. The other 4 are I believe Sugar Maple. The last pix shows the Boxelder to the right.

The Boxelder going to be cut down next weakend. I get what wood I want from it . I read American Indians made sugar from Boxelder sap.
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KBHALE

Ghost_of_winter · Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 12:43 am Post subject:

the second tree is indeed a maple. I recognize the whirlygigs. (used to HATE having to claen those things out of the blasted pool every spring.....)
The only thing I would be worried about is the vines I see climbing the tree. Would hate to see you get poison ivy or even worse inhale the smoke from it. know of someone that did and ended up in ICU from it....not good.....
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Combustis Maximus · Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 11:25 am Post subject:

No worries; the vine is Boston Ivy or a related ornamental, not poison ivy. I still wouldn't smoke with it though Smile

The maple looks a lot like sugar maple to me, the leaves taper to slender "fingers". Do they turn bright red in the fall?
The bark looks correct too.

ajhunter · Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 6:27 pm Post subject:

Great!!! Thanks Grand and Bob!

I got a nice size log of hackberry, is that good to use for smoking?

Tony
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2 WSMs, CG
KCBS CBJ

Bob-BQN · well done Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 12433 Location: Texas

I get conflicting results, several sources quote the first statement, I only found the second statement once:

Internet sources report that wood from the following trees is suitable for smoking: AVOCADO, BAY, CARROTWOOD, KIAWE, MADRONE, MANZANITA, GUAVA, OLIVE, BEECH, BUTTERNUT, FIG, GUM, CHESTNUT, HACKBERRY, PIMIENTO, PERSIMMON, and WILLOW. The ornamental varieties of fruit trees (i.e. pear, cherry, apple, etc.) are also suitable for smoking. Very Happy

No one can deny the smell of bad wood. Beware of soft wood, cedar, pine, hackberry, elm, and the like. Always test-burn unknown wood on a campfire, and then determine if that would be a taste you would want on your food. Some wood is quite toxic. Never burn treated lumber of any kind. Good smoke comes from hardwoods that bear a nut or a fruit. Oak, hickory, mesquite, pecan and various fruit trees have established themselves in the BBQ fuel inventory. Beware of unknown woods! Sad

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ajhunter · Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 7:27 pm Post subject:

Hmmm... See, thats why I love this site! Very Happy

I have seen the first statement and have a print out of the document, but I thought I would check with you guys first to see what you think. I think I will do a test burn of this wood to see what the smoke is like. Thanks Bob.

Tony
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2 WSMs, CG
KCBS CBJ

ime15 · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 5:06 am Post subject:

I just picked up a load of mixed wood from a fire wood supplier. He told me it was sugar maple, oak, wild cherry, hickory and beech.

Has anyone ever used beech? I understand it is suitable for smoking however I'm curious if anyone has actually used it. Not aware of anyone that has. I guess I will just test it out.

I'm not sure how to tell the difference between the woods. I doubt it matters that much except for maybe the hickory. Are there any distinct ways of identifying cherry just by the wood or bark. I would assume it would have a reddish tinge in the wood?

Chris

Ghost_of_winter · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 10:02 am Post subject:

don't QUOTE me on this chris but from what I recall about cherry it will have a smooth red bark on the wood.
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Combustis Maximus · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 1:49 pm Post subject:

Wild Cherry has a flaky bark; we used to call it Corn Flake bark. Orchard cherries have a smooth, almost shiny bark.

Ghost_of_winter · Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 3:40 pm Post subject:

ime15 · Posted: Sat May 21, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:

Thanks! I think I am able to pick out the cherry now.