Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Strongbow on August 14, 2013, 10:35:54 pm

Title: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Strongbow on August 14, 2013, 10:35:54 pm
I have access to a 1 acre wooded lot, that is going to be cleared for a house within the next year.  It has hickory, ash, sugar maple and oak.  Trying to pick which trees I want to cut and saw these today and I don't know what they are, but thought it could be a variety of elm.  I am located in eastern PA if that helps.

Leaves are serrated and pointed, alternate.  Branches are also alternate.
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa391/Dangerklein/image_zps92c78edb.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/Dangerklein/media/image_zps92c78edb.jpg.html)

Here is a photo of the trunks.  There are 3 of them around 15-18" diameter.  The trees are growing 50-60' tall
(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa391/Dangerklein/image_zpsf4b33e91.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/Dangerklein/media/image_zpsf4b33e91.jpg.html)

Thanks for any help!  Crossing fingers for bow wood.
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Joec123able on August 14, 2013, 10:43:24 pm
I think its hackberry not 100% bit pretty sure
If it is hackberry its very very good bow wood so wheather you got elm or hackberry there it's top notch wood either way
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Danzn Bar on August 14, 2013, 10:52:22 pm
Looks like hackberry in my area.....Got access to a little myself....Good bow wood from what I've heard....No experience here ..Yet
DBar
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: koan on August 14, 2013, 10:56:54 pm
Just looked it up in my tree ID book... American Elm... My book is trees of Mo. ... But your pics match my pics and discription.. Hope this helps... Brian
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: koan on August 14, 2013, 11:00:40 pm
The bark is very similar to hackberry but hackberry leaves are ovate and bigger on one side of leaf.. Most hackberry ridges are way more pronounced... Brian
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: smoky#1 on August 14, 2013, 11:06:01 pm
i'd say hackberry
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Gus on August 14, 2013, 11:07:34 pm
Cut that Sucker Down...

If the Wood is Creamy White I'd say Hackberry, taking your photos into account.

-gus
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Pat B on August 14, 2013, 11:12:30 pm
BEWARE, that looks like poison ivy vines on one of those trees. The one with the fuzzy air roots all along it.
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: koan on August 14, 2013, 11:17:57 pm
This is a hackberry leaf.. Sorry for poor quality pic, only internet i have is this dang Iphone, lol
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Strongbow on August 14, 2013, 11:19:41 pm
BEWARE, that looks like poison ivy vines on one of those trees. The one with the fuzzy air roots all along it.

Pat-Thanks for the warning.  I'm pretty sure it is poison ivy. 

I had not thought of hackberry since I'm not familiar with it.  But I looked it up I'm pretty sure you guys are right.  Guess I gotta cut one down and make some bows :)
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: koan on August 14, 2013, 11:27:45 pm
Leaves are wrong for hackberry... Unless the hackberry in my yard is fibbin to me, lol... Either way its good wood :) cut it down and split it up :)... If it splits easy its hackberry.. If it makes you cuss its elm. Goodluck ;)... Brian
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Joec123able on August 14, 2013, 11:30:22 pm
Leaves are wrong for hackberry... Unless the hackberry in my yard is fibbin to me, lol... Either way its good wood :) cut it down and split it up :)... If it splits easy its hackberry.. If it makes you cuss its elm. Goodluck ;)... Brian
Hackberry and elm are related trees hackberry can be tough to split too
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: koan on August 14, 2013, 11:38:54 pm
Agreed but unless theres more than one kind of hackberry( im in Mo) then those aint hackberry leaves. But then pics can be deceptive. Here hack leaves are purty large and much lighter in color and very ovate... The pic posted are very slender and very dark, imo
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Pat B on August 14, 2013, 11:45:03 pm
The hackberry I'm familiar with has thick corky warts all over the trunk.    It is hard to ID trees just from a few blurry pics. A better pic of the bark would help.
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: okie64 on August 14, 2013, 11:50:54 pm
It is hackberry, 99.9 percent sure. Hackberry bark can vary from fairly smooth to extremely warty and  everywhere in between but those leaves are a dead ringer fir hackberry. We have hackberry and sugarberry here in Oklahoma, the wood is identical but the leaves of sugarberry have smooth margins instead of toothed.
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Gus on August 15, 2013, 12:01:23 am
BEWARE, that looks like poison ivy vines on one of those trees. The one with the fuzzy air roots all along it.

Yes Sir,

Looks like its in both trees...
And good sized at that.
Have any good friends that ain't allergic to Poison Ivy?

:)

-gus
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: koan on August 15, 2013, 12:21:35 am
I suppose my book could be wrong.. Wouldnt be the 1st time, lol. However.. I would bet a paycheck its not hackberry..... But keep in mind im not workin right now so i aint gettin a paycheck, lol.. On another note.. Poison ivy sux. Just got over a bad bout with it, had to do Prednisone shot cuz it was in all the wrong places, lol. I will try and get a pic of my hackberry inda daylight tomorrow... maybe there are sub-species? My book is aimed only at Mo. so who knows...
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: turtle on August 15, 2013, 03:16:29 pm
I suppose my book could be wrong.. Wouldnt be the 1st time, lol. However.. I would bet a paycheck its not hackberry..... But keep in mind im not workin right now so i aint gettin a paycheck, lol.. On another note.. Poison ivy sux. Just got over a bad bout with it, had to do Prednisone shot cuz it was in all the wrong places, lol. I will try and get a pic of my hackberry inda daylight tomorrow... maybe there are sub-species? My book is aimed only at Mo. so who knows...


Guess im real lucky when it comes to poison ivy. When i was a kid i always used it like a rope to climb over some big rocks it covered. Now whenever i find it around the house i just grab it with my bare hands and pull it out. I have a nephew tho that catches it if he walks a hundred yards down wind from it.
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: autologus on August 15, 2013, 04:08:16 pm
It sure looks like Elm to me.  If I had a close up of the bark I would be for sure.

Grady
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on August 15, 2013, 04:36:29 pm

Yes Sir,

Looks like its in both trees...
And good sized at that.
Have any good friends that ain't allergic to Poison Ivy?

:)

-gus

well, i can tell you for sure that definitly either hackberry or elm. I have seen both in person and those leaves are spot on american elm.
chop it down and try to split it. super hard to split- elm. easy to moderate- hackberry.
i would like a better pic of the bark...
(http://www.pittsburghparks.org/userdocs/041811hackberry-bark.jpg) this is hackberry.

this is elm- (https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThN11kPhxOX3eqI11k4l-V2dvXTKd0BGGFV1n-Ae6fTRvPfP5zHA)
Title: Re: Tree ID, Elm?
Post by: Knapper on August 15, 2013, 05:13:35 pm
Plus Hackberry has pith in the twig, Elm does not. Per Petersons tree identification field guide. Both leaf structures are similar.
Knapper