Went to the land fill the other day to get some wood for a turning project. I found a nice piece about 4’ long and around 5†in diameter. I thought it was maple, at first, but after turning some spoons and allowing them to dry for a week, I think the wood is something else. The dried turnings are quite light and sand easily. The dried spoons are whitish with some yellow/orange streaks. There were no leaves on/around the pile of wood this came from. Hopefully someone here might be able to help me identify the species.

There were almost symmetrical bug/worm holes around the log but these holes only penetrated the bark. Not into the sapwood or heart wood. The tree was growing in south central Pennsylvania.

Thanks!

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

Man Lew, wish I could help, let me send it out to the gang and see if anyone can come up with an answer for ya!

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Long shot but, wondering fruit tree?

Could be Brad, the bark is fruity, being an IE man yourself you seen plenty of citrus in these parts. In Penn state what kind of fruit would we be talking about? Hmmm. It does have the bark and circumference of fruit, assuming that is the lower portion of the tree.

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Some of the bark pictures look like Cherry.  Being Pennsylvania, that would be a common specie but also it should have been easy to identify because of the nice Cherry smell.  I assume that this was ruled out???

John Morris said:

Could be Brad, the bark is fruity, being an IE man yourself you seen plenty of citrus in these parts. In Penn state what kind of fruit would we be talking about? Hmmm. It does have the bark and circumference of fruit, assuming that is the lower portion of the tree.

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Shagbark Hickory

It would have to be a older deciduous fruit tree if it is so.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I really appreciate. 

I'm leaning a little towards some sort of ornamental fruit tree. We have lots of them in this area. After thinking about it, Cherry makes sense- the bark does resemble it. Maybe one of those Weeping Cherry trees. I've never cut into one but the bark looks similar to pix on the Internet. 

I should have mentioned that there is no distinctive odor when cutting/turning.

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

Apart from the comment about "no distinctive odor", some of the bark very much resembles Cherry Birch.

judging by the description of being lightweight, white in color, having yellowish brown streaks, and looking fuzzy in the pictures. I'd say it is poplar (not tulip)or aspen.

Shagbark hickory has much flakier bark, and Cherry is darker colored.

From what I can see, this is a pine specie. Especially the fact that boreholes don't penetrate deeper than the bark confirms that. It should have a turpentine smell.The appearance of the bark is definitely one of the Pine species.

Walter,

I think you may have hit it! I have a piece of Basswood purchased from Woodcraft several years ago- for another project. The spoons look identical to that piece!

Thanks!!!

Walter said:

Ahhh... Light weight, stringy, and brown flecks...  Linden Trees (aka Basswood) also gets those same peck holes.

Hey Lew it looks almost like beech but I cant really tell from the unfinished wood. Do you have any of the spoons available for pictures? It may be Cherry too.

OK looks like I was a bit late on the reply sorry lol

---

Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

Lew,

I've turned several fruit woods but usually there is more grain in it except for some pear that I've turned.

Having said that, I would suggest smoothing down the the wood and then apply clear shellac to bet a better idea as to color and grain.  You can also test a portion of the wood in the kitchen by boiling it in  a small amount of water to for the aroma or try it on the BBQ for the smoke.  Most fruit woods give off a distinctive "fruity" small/taste.

Aside from any testing, I would suggest contacting the local forest service people and asking them if they thing the wood is indigenious to the state/area and their opin on what it might be.

This is interesting but sometimes futile because we have imported so many species for crops and ornamentals. I have been asked these questions a lot. I use to own a nursery as well as being a commercial wood shop owner This tree was found in a waste management site and looks as if it was distressed. That would indicate a good chance someone had it on  their man handled property, and disposed of it because it was riddle with disease and or pests. Commercial wood shops shops typically buy from mills. People who make crafts such as wood turning, pens, walking staffs etc. would roll into this scenario more often. I would express caution because this is a good way to spread a problem at your site by bringing a diseased sample in. Because that is the nature of the wood turner beast the wood should be kept separate from the stock and treated to prevent spreading the problem. You also don't know if the tree was sprayed with a toxic  material to kill the infestation prior to finding it at the dump site. I would caution before using it for food handling. Don't want to rain on your parade or wonderful sense of creativity, but just sayin.... Any saws or tools should be disinfected after rough milling. I would burn any scrap before I would ever put it into a wood pile.  To ID it may be difficult even if familiar with the plant, because of deformity. Still the nature of wood turners like the beauty of highly figured wood as a high prize. Phil a previous writer offers an idea which makes some since and that would be taking it to a local forester. They may and may not be able to ID it because of several factors such as it may not be indigenous to his or her familiarity, It may be deformed or perhaps The sample is incomplete. I would often have folks bring me a sample of something like a leaf and and expect me to ID it without having the benefit of seeing the the whole picture. In this case you have what you have has no more to show. However to risk of looking stupid I am absolutely positive of its identity. It is know as a Arborplantaeoplis Lazarus. Know to grow in south central Pennsylvania. They have this distinct bark and a green canopy. Also know to be sought after by a unique wood turning master to create artifacts to last for generations. I also take risk of being a smart alleck. I guess my point is if you could find what this material is without going through the archives of botany for months. I would suggest knowing the wood as you know best and that would be through taking this thing which was discarded to be put away forever and rot in a land fill to only be resurrected by your hand crafting. If for some reason you don't find any better information, and asked by others then revert to "Arborplantaeoplis Lazarus" which commonly is know as "resurrected tree/plant". I hope you a speedy resolve and have a wonderful time in the shop!

I think I'll go back to the land fill tomorrow and see if there is more of this tree. Maybe I can find a piece with leaves or at least a better piece of bark.

Again, THANKS to everyone for your suggestions and comments. Especially the Arborplantaeoplis Lazarus- I'm adding that to my vocabulary right along side of Dustbunnicus Giantici.

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

Lew,

I know to us woodworkers, the import of knowing what type of wood we are using but to the consumer I find that most couldn't care less other than is it pretty and does it suit them.

I have a client who was going over the woods I use for pens.  I had regular, spalted, ambrosia, burl domestic and exotics.  And what did she pick?  One that I have no idea what it is.  I think it is bamboo but am not sure since it was one that came out of a box marked free wood.  I don't care what it is as along as she is happy with the purchase.  My reply when asked was that it was a rare, unique find and I was not sure what it is, and other wood experts don't know what it is either.  I've attached a photo.

Phil

That's a gorgeous pen, Phil!

Phil Rasmussen said:

Lew,

I know to us woodworkers, the import of knowing what type of wood we are using but to the consumer I find that most couldn't care less other than is it pretty and does it suit them.

I have a client who was going over the woods I use for pens.  I had regular, spalted, ambrosia, burl domestic and exotics.  And what did she pick?  One that I have no idea what it is.  I think it is bamboo but am not sure since it was one that came out of a box marked free wood.  I don't care what it is as along as she is happy with the purchase.  My reply when asked was that it was a rare, unique find and I was not sure what it is, and other wood experts don't know what it is either.  I've attached a photo.

Phil

Black cherry I think.