Emergency Question - How to ID tree species?

[Ethan]

Hey All,

Question regarding how my non tree ID-ing butt can learn quickly.

I work with a guy who's cousin has (he says) a white oak tree that could produce ~60' of straight, clear lumber about 30" in diameter. Deal is, I can have it if I want it (too close to a house, so it's being removed regardless).

My problem is, I don't know what specific characteristics to look for to ensure it's a white oak suitable for boatbuilding. Any tips, tricks, or techniques?????

I gotta move on this today or tomorrow, so any and all help is appreciated!

Thanks, Ethan

[Ethan]

Hey All,

Question regarding how my non tree ID-ing butt can learn quickly.

I work with a guy who's cousin has (he says) a white oak tree that could produce ~60' of straight, clear lumber about 30" in diameter. Deal is, I can have it if I want it (too close to a house, so it's being removed regardless).

My problem is, I don't know what specific characteristics to look for to ensure it's a white oak suitable for boatbuilding. Any tips, tricks, or techniques?????

I gotta move on this today or tomorrow, so any and all help is appreciated!

Thanks, Ethan

[Ethan]

Hey All,

Question regarding how my non tree ID-ing butt can learn quickly.

I work with a guy who's cousin has (he says) a white oak tree that could produce ~60' of straight, clear lumber about 30" in diameter. Deal is, I can have it if I want it (too close to a house, so it's being removed regardless).

My problem is, I don't know what specific characteristics to look for to ensure it's a white oak suitable for boatbuilding. Any tips, tricks, or techniques?????

I gotta move on this today or tomorrow, so any and all help is appreciated!

Thanks, Ethan

[Donn]

This is Red Oak:

<img src= "http://www.pec.on.ca/wildflowers/images/flowers/Red-Oak-Leaf.jpg"

This is White Oak:

<img src= "http://www.saltthesandbox.org/trees/WhiteOak.jpg">

[Donn]

This is Red Oak:

<img src= "http://www.pec.on.ca/wildflowers/images/flowers/Red-Oak-Leaf.jpg"

This is White Oak:

<img src= "http://www.saltthesandbox.org/trees/WhiteOak.jpg">

[Donn]

This is Red Oak:

<img src= "http://www.pec.on.ca/wildflowers/images/flowers/Red-Oak-Leaf.jpg"

This is White Oak:

<img src= "http://www.saltthesandbox.org/trees/WhiteOak.jpg">

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

If he's dropping it close to a house, it may come down in pieces about 10" (inches) long - It'd make you cry.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

If he's dropping it close to a house, it may come down in pieces about 10" (inches) long - It'd make you cry.

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

If he's dropping it close to a house, it may come down in pieces about 10" (inches) long - It'd make you cry.

[Ethan]

Thanks Don - that is exactly the type of help I was hoping for.

P.I. - Right you are. I haven't seen the tree or worksite yet, but am told that if I want it, it can be taken down and out intact. We'll see - there's always a reason stuff's free, right?

Thanks to you both for your replies.

[Ethan]

Thanks Don - that is exactly the type of help I was hoping for.

P.I. - Right you are. I haven't seen the tree or worksite yet, but am told that if I want it, it can be taken down and out intact. We'll see - there's always a reason stuff's free, right?

Thanks to you both for your replies.

[Ethan]

Thanks Don - that is exactly the type of help I was hoping for.

P.I. - Right you are. I haven't seen the tree or worksite yet, but am told that if I want it, it can be taken down and out intact. We'll see - there's always a reason stuff's free, right?

Thanks to you both for your replies.

[preston]

Those are great pictures.
Last night, my wife and I walked around one of the local parks,
the sort where a helpful arborist had labelled many of the trees.
If you're interested enough to read the labels (we were),
it's a great way to learn.

Preston

[preston]

Those are great pictures.
Last night, my wife and I walked around one of the local parks,
the sort where a helpful arborist had labelled many of the trees.
If you're interested enough to read the labels (we were),
it's a great way to learn.

Preston

[preston]

Those are great pictures.
Last night, my wife and I walked around one of the local parks,
the sort where a helpful arborist had labelled many of the trees.
If you're interested enough to read the labels (we were),
it's a great way to learn.

Preston

[Meerkat]

Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;)

[Meerkat]

Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;)

[Meerkat]

Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;)

[raycon]

Good find. Watch for steel in the tree.
I'd put the value in tree form at $150-$800 if it were in a forest. Near a home or structure it has no value till its been milled and the consumable damage accounted for. We have 54 inch white oaks on the fence line they have more value standing than down. White oak is currently selling for .30 bdft that oak may scale out to 1000 bdft.
Having said that. I'd take the tree if it were a freebie steel and all. Expect to pay .30 a bdft to have it milled into 4/4. Hire a logging truck to move it. Around here its $50 - $75/hr and they will have that tree on the truck in 24' lengths in under 5 minutes if its accessible. Just have a place for them to deliver it preferably local.
Good luck. Before and after pictures would be cool. Any other questions post back. If you're building a boat and looking to give your sawyer direction tell him straight grained bending stock or quarter sawn -- tell him you want 0 run out on the bending stock.

[raycon]

Good find. Watch for steel in the tree.
I'd put the value in tree form at $150-$800 if it were in a forest. Near a home or structure it has no value till its been milled and the consumable damage accounted for. We have 54 inch white oaks on the fence line they have more value standing than down. White oak is currently selling for .30 bdft that oak may scale out to 1000 bdft.
Having said that. I'd take the tree if it were a freebie steel and all. Expect to pay .30 a bdft to have it milled into 4/4. Hire a logging truck to move it. Around here its $50 - $75/hr and they will have that tree on the truck in 24' lengths in under 5 minutes if its accessible. Just have a place for them to deliver it preferably local.
Good luck. Before and after pictures would be cool. Any other questions post back. If you're building a boat and looking to give your sawyer direction tell him straight grained bending stock or quarter sawn -- tell him you want 0 run out on the bending stock.

[raycon]

Good find. Watch for steel in the tree.
I'd put the value in tree form at $150-$800 if it were in a forest. Near a home or structure it has no value till its been milled and the consumable damage accounted for. We have 54 inch white oaks on the fence line they have more value standing than down. White oak is currently selling for .30 bdft that oak may scale out to 1000 bdft.
Having said that. I'd take the tree if it were a freebie steel and all. Expect to pay .30 a bdft to have it milled into 4/4. Hire a logging truck to move it. Around here its $50 - $75/hr and they will have that tree on the truck in 24' lengths in under 5 minutes if its accessible. Just have a place for them to deliver it preferably local.
Good luck. Before and after pictures would be cool. Any other questions post back. If you're building a boat and looking to give your sawyer direction tell him straight grained bending stock or quarter sawn -- tell him you want 0 run out on the bending stock.

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Meerkat:
Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;) What kind of meds you on Meer? ;) If it was veneer quality Cherry it might be worth 1/4 of that...

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Meerkat:
Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;) What kind of meds you on Meer? ;) If it was veneer quality Cherry it might be worth 1/4 of that...

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Meerkat:
Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;) What kind of meds you on Meer? ;) If it was veneer quality Cherry it might be worth 1/4 of that...

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Mrleft8:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Meerkat:
Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;) What kind of meds you on Meer? ;) If it was veneer quality Cherry it might be worth 1/4 of that...</font>[/QUOTE]Oops! forgot to post what I originally intended to post!
Ahem.... White oak bark is often "white" IE: light gray, like fireplace ash. Red oak bark is often greenish gray/brown. But the best way is the leaves....

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Mrleft8:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Meerkat:
Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;) What kind of meds you on Meer? ;) If it was veneer quality Cherry it might be worth 1/4 of that...</font>[/QUOTE]Oops! forgot to post what I originally intended to post!
Ahem.... White oak bark is often "white" IE: light gray, like fireplace ash. Red oak bark is often greenish gray/brown. But the best way is the leaves....

[Mrleft8]

Originally posted by Mrleft8:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Meerkat:
Lucky bugger! That's a LOT of valuable wood! I'd guess at least $10,000 ;) What kind of meds you on Meer? ;) If it was veneer quality Cherry it might be worth 1/4 of that...</font>[/QUOTE]Oops! forgot to post what I originally intended to post!
Ahem.... White oak bark is often "white" IE: light gray, like fireplace ash. Red oak bark is often greenish gray/brown. But the best way is the leaves....

[openboater]

Logger's "accidentally" cut down my neighbors sugar maple while they were loggin the lot next to his woods. He got a check for $1300.00

The maple was smaller than the oak you're talking about. Even firewood's goin' for more than .30 around here.

[openboater]

Logger's "accidentally" cut down my neighbors sugar maple while they were loggin the lot next to his woods. He got a check for $1300.00

The maple was smaller than the oak you're talking about. Even firewood's goin' for more than .30 around here.

[openboater]

Logger's "accidentally" cut down my neighbors sugar maple while they were loggin the lot next to his woods. He got a check for $1300.00

The maple was smaller than the oak you're talking about. Even firewood's goin' for more than .30 around here.

[Scott P]

I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.

[Scott P]

I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.

[Scott P]

I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.

[Scott P]

I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.

[Scott P]

I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.

[Scott P]

I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Scott P:
I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.Only for the ones you get caught stealing.

Today it's mostly honest mistakes, but some Gypo loggers used to make a living doing that....but that also used to be a good way to wake up dead.

[ 07-05-2005, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Scott P:
I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.Only for the ones you get caught stealing.

Today it's mostly honest mistakes, but some Gypo loggers used to make a living doing that....but that also used to be a good way to wake up dead.

[ 07-05-2005, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Scott P:
I don't know about the laws in your state but in Washington you knock a tree down on someone elses property without their permission you pay triple the stumpage.Only for the ones you get caught stealing.

Today it's mostly honest mistakes, but some Gypo loggers used to make a living doing that....but that also used to be a good way to wake up dead.

[ 07-05-2005, 08:08 PM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[qm]

They better move the house or go to jail! The tree will be there longer anyway. All to say I have huge respect for a tree like that and would enjoy sleeping under it,even in a house 4feet away, and therefore would never cut it down even though I have been a professional boat carpenter and builder part of my life. :eek: QM

[qm]

They better move the house or go to jail! The tree will be there longer anyway. All to say I have huge respect for a tree like that and would enjoy sleeping under it,even in a house 4feet away, and therefore would never cut it down even though I have been a professional boat carpenter and builder part of my life. :eek: QM

[qm]

They better move the house or go to jail! The tree will be there longer anyway. All to say I have huge respect for a tree like that and would enjoy sleeping under it,even in a house 4feet away, and therefore would never cut it down even though I have been a professional boat carpenter and builder part of my life. :eek: QM

[Meerkat]

I thought timber rustling was still an ongoing problem, especially in remote areas?

[Meerkat]

I thought timber rustling was still an ongoing problem, especially in remote areas?

[Meerkat]

I thought timber rustling was still an ongoing problem, especially in remote areas?

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Meerkat:
I thought timber rustling was still an ongoing problem, especially in remote areas?Stealing "music wood" is....but often they don't fall the maple tree to chainsaw out the figured flitch under the first limbs.

I was referring to small operations who clearcut or thin without a contract where they think they can get away with it...the ones I knew gladly paid the triple stumpage when they got caught, because that was one or two unprofitable days out of 200.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Meerkat:
I thought timber rustling was still an ongoing problem, especially in remote areas?Stealing "music wood" is....but often they don't fall the maple tree to chainsaw out the figured flitch under the first limbs.

I was referring to small operations who clearcut or thin without a contract where they think they can get away with it...the ones I knew gladly paid the triple stumpage when they got caught, because that was one or two unprofitable days out of 200.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Meerkat:
I thought timber rustling was still an ongoing problem, especially in remote areas?Stealing "music wood" is....but often they don't fall the maple tree to chainsaw out the figured flitch under the first limbs.

I was referring to small operations who clearcut or thin without a contract where they think they can get away with it...the ones I knew gladly paid the triple stumpage when they got caught, because that was one or two unprofitable days out of 200.

[Scott P]

Meercat, poaching cedar happens pretty often down here, the money is good, chances of being caught are slim and until a while back if you were caught you got a slap on the wrist. A local fellow made too much of a habit of it and the third time he was caught got sentenced to 10 years if I recall correctly. He evidently was upset when he heard the sentece and complained about be locked up with dope dealers and rapists!

[Scott P]

Meercat, poaching cedar happens pretty often down here, the money is good, chances of being caught are slim and until a while back if you were caught you got a slap on the wrist. A local fellow made too much of a habit of it and the third time he was caught got sentenced to 10 years if I recall correctly. He evidently was upset when he heard the sentece and complained about be locked up with dope dealers and rapists!

[Scott P]

Meercat, poaching cedar happens pretty often down here, the money is good, chances of being caught are slim and until a while back if you were caught you got a slap on the wrist. A local fellow made too much of a habit of it and the third time he was caught got sentenced to 10 years if I recall correctly. He evidently was upset when he heard the sentece and complained about be locked up with dope dealers and rapists!

[capt jake]

Stealing "music wood" is....but often they don't fall the maple tree to chainsaw out the figured flitch under the first limbs. This happened off of the West Valley Hwy near 167. The Maples started dying and then falling across the road before they discovered what was happening. Still haven't caught the individual.

[capt jake]

Stealing "music wood" is....but often they don't fall the maple tree to chainsaw out the figured flitch under the first limbs. This happened off of the West Valley Hwy near 167. The Maples started dying and then falling across the road before they discovered what was happening. Still haven't caught the individual.

[capt jake]

Stealing "music wood" is....but often they don't fall the maple tree to chainsaw out the figured flitch under the first limbs. This happened off of the West Valley Hwy near 167. The Maples started dying and then falling across the road before they discovered what was happening. Still haven't caught the individual.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Scott P:
Meercat, poaching cedar happens pretty often down here, the money is good, chances of being caught are slim and until a while back if you were caught you got a slap on the wrist. A local fellow made too much of a habit of it and the third time he was caught got sentenced to 10 years if I recall correctly. He evidently was upset when he heard the sentece and complained about be locked up with dope dealers and rapists!Yeah, I forgot about shingle bolts.

They used to fall the cedar and muscle out 3' sections to sell to the shake mills.

Not a problem here any more because the market is gone....but perhaps still a problem on the coast.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Scott P:
Meercat, poaching cedar happens pretty often down here, the money is good, chances of being caught are slim and until a while back if you were caught you got a slap on the wrist. A local fellow made too much of a habit of it and the third time he was caught got sentenced to 10 years if I recall correctly. He evidently was upset when he heard the sentece and complained about be locked up with dope dealers and rapists!Yeah, I forgot about shingle bolts.

They used to fall the cedar and muscle out 3' sections to sell to the shake mills.

Not a problem here any more because the market is gone....but perhaps still a problem on the coast.

[Bob Smalser]

Originally posted by Scott P:
Meercat, poaching cedar happens pretty often down here, the money is good, chances of being caught are slim and until a while back if you were caught you got a slap on the wrist. A local fellow made too much of a habit of it and the third time he was caught got sentenced to 10 years if I recall correctly. He evidently was upset when he heard the sentece and complained about be locked up with dope dealers and rapists!Yeah, I forgot about shingle bolts.

They used to fall the cedar and muscle out 3' sections to sell to the shake mills.

Not a problem here any more because the market is gone....but perhaps still a problem on the coast.