Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: ajbruggink on October 13, 2014, 11:14:12 am

Title: Tree ID Help
Post by: ajbruggink on October 13, 2014, 11:14:12 am
Heh guys, I've got this tree in my backyard that has some limbs that look like they'd make good staves but I'm not sure what kind of this tree is. My mom has lived in our house since she was 10 but she doesn't know what kind of tree it is. My guess is that its either a slippery elm or some kind of ash tree. What do you guys think it is?
 
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: Sasquatch on October 13, 2014, 11:25:04 am
Looks like some kind of hickory, get a better pic of the leaves that might help. 
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: Hrothgar on October 13, 2014, 11:33:05 am
The leaves are saying hickory, bitternut I think.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: ajbruggink on October 13, 2014, 11:36:14 am
Here's a better pic of the leaf
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: Hrothgar on October 13, 2014, 11:38:44 am
Pretty sure its bitternut hickory. Not quite as strong as shagbark or mockernut, but its still good. No. 1 choice for many BBQ fans.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: ajbruggink on October 13, 2014, 12:05:07 pm
Thanks, Hrothgar. I was hoping it was an elm or an ash, oh well.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: PatM on October 13, 2014, 12:35:23 pm
Bitternut tends to be smoother. How large is the trunk?
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: Pat B on October 13, 2014, 02:10:11 pm
My first thought is ash of some sort.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: PatM on October 13, 2014, 02:41:35 pm
It does look more like Ash but we don't have the types of Hickory that do have bark like that to say for sure.
 You need to spread the leaves out to get a better look at their configuration.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: bushboy on October 13, 2014, 05:10:39 pm
Kinda looks like a green ash?
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: okie64 on October 13, 2014, 05:11:27 pm
Looks like ash to me. If the leaves are opposite each other its an ash, if they are  alternate its a hickory. Hickories turn bright yellow in the fall and it looks like those leaves are turning a reddish purple color which would also indicate its an ash.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on October 13, 2014, 05:22:09 pm
Looks very ashy like bark to me.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: Mooseman78 on October 13, 2014, 05:32:59 pm
the best way to tell if its ash or hickory is to see if the leaves are opposite or alternate, look at the branches and twigs and if the leaves are opposite of each other its ash, maple, vibernum, etc and if the leaves are alternate of each other (off set ) its hickory, elm, etc  ;)
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: DarkSoul on October 13, 2014, 06:13:47 pm
Here's a better pic of the leaf

No, that is a pic of a leaflet. There is a big difference between a leaflet and a leaf. Compound leaves, such as hickories, black locust or ashes, consist of a number of leaflets (3 to 15 mostly, nearly always an odd number). Identification of a species is very difficult with only pics of the bark and leaflets. Post a pic of the leaves: preferably several leaves, attached to a branch, so we can see the arrangement of the leaves on the branch and the appearance of the buds.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: DavidV on October 13, 2014, 07:05:35 pm
Look at the ground, if it has nut shells it's hickory. I can't tell what it is with those pictures but bitternut hickory or ash seem likely.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: Chadwicksbog on October 13, 2014, 07:11:33 pm
My vote is ash..... Leaves are not alternate.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: wapiti1997 on October 13, 2014, 09:35:37 pm
Looks like an ash to me, most likely white ash..
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: ajbruggink on October 13, 2014, 09:50:39 pm
Hopefully I did better this time
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: Drewster on October 13, 2014, 10:22:30 pm
Based on available info and pics and a little on-line research, green ash looks like a high probability, especially since you are in Wisconsin.  Be interesting to hear some others chime in.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: ajbruggink on October 13, 2014, 11:11:19 pm
Based on available info and pics and a little on-line research, green ash looks like a high probability, especially since you are in Wisconsin.  Be interesting to hear some others chime in.
That was my closest guess, the ash and elm leaves as illustrated in plant books look similar to me, but elm is kind of a long shot and I ruled out hickory completely.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: SeanStuart on October 13, 2014, 11:41:51 pm
I don't think anyone could say for sure from the pics, but I believe either ash or hickory make a bow!

I think all Hickory have nuts - Ash are girls. I'd cut the limb. You will know what it is next summer and it will be nicely seasoned. Luck!
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: DC on October 14, 2014, 12:48:37 am
If your Mom has lived there most of her life I'm sure she would know if it had nuts.
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: blackhawk on October 14, 2014, 08:16:52 am
Smells like ash to me
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: wapiti1997 on October 14, 2014, 09:32:56 am
Definitely an ash, and the better view of the leaf says most likely green.  The leaflets on white have longer stalks, green are short, black are absent.

If you look at a twig where the leaves have fallen, next year's bud sits down in the leaf scar quite a bit on white, where green will sit on top
Title: Re: Tree ID Help
Post by: PatM on October 14, 2014, 09:46:59 am
Green Ash is the typical tree planted in a yard or on a street.