Tree ID

[Pat B]

This was a test and an example of how vague some folks are when trying ti ID trees.    Dark Soul, you are exactly right. Not enough information. These three trees are 1) beech, 2) red maple, 3) Frasier magnolia.  Three different trees but unless you closely look at the characteristics of each most folks couldn't tell the difference.
  I walked around my woods yesterday and took about 40 pics of tree bark and the variations in the same species and the same tree in some cases.  The bark is only one indication of what tree we are identifying. And, as a tree matures the bark changes and in some cases dramatically.
  I am very fortunate that in my county there are many, many different varieties of trees. Many more than are in most areas.
Here are a few more if you still want to guess what they are...
 

[fishfinder401]

that makes alot of sense, you strike me as the type of person who knows his trees, so i was a little confused, but those do look incredibly similar, the only reason i knew one was beech and one maple, was because near my house we have to much maple, and or property in Mass has to much beech, some very  large, one was 2+ thick, they do get big up there, there is also a white birch that must be pushing 4ft thick , which is right next to a pine even bigger

[Timo]

Tricky devil there Pat!

Since we don't have any of those species here, I had a tough time.

Now for todays trees? First one looks like Elm, but also like a young white oak-   post oak-  red oak?

[beetlebailey1977]

Ok on the last three.  1st one is either water elm or hop hornbeam.  2nd is persimmon or a ash.  3rd may be black cherry.  Thats my guess.

[JustinNC]

1) 2) white oak 3)northern red oak....hmm not deeply furrowed, may be souther red or scarlet oak...............can we have some twig/bud photos PLEEEEASE.

Pat I took dendrology when I was at Haywood CC...we took labs all over Haywood, Jackson, and Transylvania counties...the southern appalachains are without a doubt the most diverse area in the country, and possibly the north american continent for flora. It's amazing to see a 3-4' DBH black/wild cherry up there and straight as an arrow, and down here theyre worthless as a timber product.

[RidgeRunner]

Last three:
Post oak, White oak and Red oak

Did not have a clue on the first three.

David

[okie64]

The top two pics are post oaks and the bottom pic I'm not sure. Maybe black cherry?

[okie64]

Bottom one might be northern red oak.

[Lee Slikkers]

Pat, great topic and a perfect example of some of the challenges in regards to identifying a tree by it's bark only....especially a tree at various sizes, ages of growth.  I have always been an outdoors "nut" and have prided myself in being able to identify almost any bird, animal, insect and track/sign.  However, one area I have always been lacking in (and never honestly had a huge urge or passion to improve upon) was my plant/tree identification.  Now, as I find myself getting pulled deeper and deeper into this world or making bows I have a VERY good reason and need to improve my knowledge in this area.

I have been actively walking/searching my property, my fathers and my uncles searching for any quality bow making wood...I was made even more aware and just how lacking I was at Tree ID while looking at leafless trees with a variety of bark examples in a single grove of trees which I happened to know what they were.  Looking for species which I do not know was/is almost out of the question at this point.

I did stumble on a pretty helpful site last night as I was searching for some reference or guide to be of some help in my search.

http://forestry.about.com/od/hardwoods/Individual_Hardwood_Species.htm

http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/catsubject.cfm?cat=57

However, even on this site as you look over the various pictures and examples of a particular species you can see a large variance in the shape, look and appearance of the bark on a specific tree species.

Anyway, thanks for your thought provoking thread...very timely for me.

[fishfinder401]

i say oak, ash cherry

[nclonghunter]

I would like to see the entire tree, but given what's there I'll stick my neck out some...first pic is a rock maple, 2nd is a sugar maple and last two are oaks..a white and a red.....just guessing

You gonna tell us for sure Pat?

[JackCrafty]

Hmmm... not juniper or osage.  Doesn't matter. Firewood. 

[Lee Slikkers]

Hmmm... not juniper or osage.  Doesn't matter. Firewood. 

Thanks a pretty good answer  and since  can't seem to find a local source for Osage it's even more simple for me since Juniper (or ERC here) is a fairly simple tree to ID.

[Marc St Louis]

Look a bit like Birch to me

[fishfinder401]

Look a bit like Birch to me

I've never seen birch like any of those