How can you tell what kind of tree it is?

[Billc]

I was walking around a part of my property that we plan on clearing this spring. It used to be farm land 15 years ago, but now way over grown. There are lots of little hardwoods and 20' pines. The pines we'll sell for pulp wood, but most of the small hardwoods will have to go. However, I want to save a good many but want to be sure of what I save. Is there a good web-sight where I can learn at what kind of tree I am looking? To me they are all just small hardwoods.

Along this same line, does anyone know of a good use for Sweet Gums?

Bill Cook

 

[roysallis]

Try http://www.arborday.org and click on "Online Tree Id Guide".
If you find out a use for sweetgums let me know I have a lot of them. I would not mind them except for the thousands of sweetgum balls.

 

[Boots]

Bill,

The web site is good, but it won't help you much when you're out on the back side of the property. I suggest you head on down to the book store and look for a 'field guide' to North American Trees. There are a few available, and these are invaluable when trying to decide what tree you're looking at. Usually, these books are pocket size, and have a coating on the pages so you won't get water damage if it rains on you. The book even tells you how to distinguish among species in the winter, but I've had little success at this. I usually have to wait till spring or summer so I can compare the leaves to the pictures in the book.

I think I have two of these books, one by Peterson's, and another by some other outfit. There are similar books on birds, wildflowers, etc... You can study up on this stuff, and it makes you look smart when you're out in the woods with the Wife or kids. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Take Care.
Boots

 

[dmccarty]

Billc,

Boots got it right. Get the field guide for North American trees. If you have problems finding the book let me know and I'll give you the ISBN number. Assuming I can find the book! It has a green or brown cover and would almost fit in a shirt pocket except that it is so fat. It will help you out. Like Boots, I usually can't tell unless I see leaves and even then I have trouble. But I'm learning.

Some Sweet Gums are used to make furniture. But it depends on the market. When I timbered parts of my property the valuable trees were pines and oaks. Everything else was just in the way. The Ash, Sweet Gums, Walnut, and Hickory they were not interested in. They were not marked and were not taken. Go figure....

Hope this helps....
Dan McCarty

 

[ERNIEB]

Bill, I don't know of any web sites, but I have a suggestion if you are wanting to identify these trees to species or subspecies.
Botanists use a book known as a "key". With the right Key, a good strong magnifing glass, and a good knowlege of some botany terms, any type of plant can be identified.
If this is more trouble than you want to go thru, I have another idea.
College students majoring in Botany, Forestry, Wildlife Science, and so on, usually learn to do this at least by their jr. year. Check with the Botany or Biology dept. of your nearest College or University. Sometimes they have a bullitin board where you can stick up an ad. Maybe run an ad in the school paper. A lot of college kids are always looking to make a few bucks.

Ernie
"It will be appalling to you to learn, and see herewith inclosed our alarming weakness"
James C. Neill, Alamo commander Jan. 1836

 

[dullpain]

It's the Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. ISBN 0-394-50760-6

Not much help to me in winter - I need to see the leaves usually to identify. I sure would like to have some of those Ash, Hickory, & SweetGums here.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<<<Along this same line, does anyone know of a good use for Sweet Gums?

Bill Cook>>>

"French" kissing? /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[gordon]

Bill here are a couple of sites that might help.
http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/dendro.htm

http://willow.ncfes.umn.edu/silvics_manual/Table_of_contents.htm

http://svinet2.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/

http://www.treeguide.com/

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/FPLGTR/fplgtr113/fplgtr113.htm

This should keep you busy for awhile if you want a few more I've got them. Here is a good one for plants http://plants.usda.gov/plants/

This should get you started but the guys are right nothing can beat a book in the woods.

Sweetgum is a hardwood that is sometimes used for lumber and veneer.
Gordon

 

[Rch]

Gordan, TERRIFIC urls. They really fulfill a need for me. Thanks for sharing. You guys blow me away with these perfect references.

RCH

 

[gordon]

Your quite welcome, isn't it great having such a large brain-trust! I've learned a ton of stuff off this board and just glad that I can help.
Gordon