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Need help ID'ing this tree

9 years ago

Leaf is about 7" long. Very large tree by a creek bed. Middle TN. The top is dead, so I'm going to take it down but just wanted to know the type and what the wood might be good for eg: firewood, furniture, fence posts, etc. Any help is appreciated. Thnx.

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Comments (9)

Iris GW
9 years ago
Does it have a very smooth, almost bare trunk? If so then beech would be my guess.
ctnchpr
9 years ago
Is the 7" a guess or did you measure? I've never seen a Beech leaf that big. American beech leaves have smaller, more pointed teeth on the margins, this leaf looks lobed (forgive the alliteration). Maybe Swamp chestnut oak?
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User
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes it measured 7" and that was a typical leaf from the tree. I agree, I see lobes not teeth.
bengz6westmd
9 years ago
White-type oak, maybe swamp chestnut or chinkapin. Not quite right for chestnut oak (Q prinus), but could be. Trunk bark would tell.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Thnx all. With the top looking dead and dropping branches, would this tree make good firewood like an oak should?
bengz6westmd
9 years ago
Certainly, tho splitting such wood is difficult. Dry for a yr for best results.
ctnchpr
9 years ago
Excellent firewood, comparable to White oak or Hickory. Splitting is easy, if you're not trying to split a crotch. I do it every year with an axe, a maul and wedges. If the trunk is clear, maybe you could get some lumber for small projects - quartersawn is best.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Here is the bark at the trunk.
bengz6westmd
9 years ago
Looks like chinkapin oak bark, so that's my guess again.

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