How to Identify Firewood -

[@crazyman3157]

Great video Chris and Kenny. A lot of knowledge built over years of experience by the both of you passed on to all the viewers. Definitely agree that you never stop learning when you cut firewood. Great series and as always, learned something new today. 👍🏻

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Man! Just keep learning!

[@dethmaul]

Someone can make a whole bunch of pens out of that curly maple. Little blocks of wood, people use to lathe into pen bodies.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yes, I have seen them!

[@JesseLJohnson]

Should be able to make knife handles/scales too.

[@makincash3337]

Nice

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks!

[@NICUofficial]

thanks, the tips on oak and aspen are really helpful to me even in New Mexico

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks for watching!

[@thefirewooddoctor]

Young shagbark hickory, or the limb wood, had very smooth bark. Just like silver maple bark.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yes it does!

[@RVBob]

So Ken uses his BassWOOD to stretch a beaver? There's gotta be a joke in there somewhere. 🤣

[@InTheWoodyard]

YES! All wood and beaver talk are good jokes!

[@HILLBILLYSFIREWOOD]

That tiger maple is some nice wood. make knife handles out of it.. have a good week wood dude, and Ken.. take care guys..🌲🌲🌳🌳👍✌

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Bee man!

[@jburch1544]

Have a saw miter box, stamped on it "Made of Rock Maple"

[@InTheWoodyard]

Cool!

[@mikehughes2026]

Morning Fellas, split firewood is not easy to identify. Milled lumber reveals grain pattern, characteristics, and of course if you could see leaves of the tree, you two know your trade very well. Hard-Rock Maple with the curly grain highly prized along with BirdsEye Maple( caused by a genetic defect I believe). If you cut White Oak on a table saw and get a bit of saw burn, you will know where Bourbon Whiskey gets its flavor( aged in charred oak barrels, Thanks Guys, take care

[@InTheWoodyard]

Whiskey....MMMMMMMMM!

[@thefirewooddoctor]

Sore day after running a bunch of gas through various saws in my woodyard. Over half a tank in my 572xp. Then Broddi at "The Chainsaw Shack" brought his ported 501P to try out, along with his 395xp and clone G288. You've got to try a properly modified saw. His 501P is super lightweight and it cuts so fast. Am still learning how to identify wood the hard way, without a good teacher. Your videos really help.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks for watching, just keep trying to identify and research the trees you don't know yet, that is what I do, it is a lifetime activity, I am always learning.

[@larryvankirk7423]

Very informative video guys. Thanks for the education. A Busch Lite 30 pack carton is the best fire starter known to man. GNI

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks for watching, BLM...Bush Lite Matters!

[@TheFirewoodHut]

The one thing I'm absolutly able to identify is... Poison Ivy. Good video!

[@InTheWoodyard]

YES!!! Me too!

[@randymarko486]

Loved the Info....... The lighting kinda threw things off though. ( orange/yellowish. ) Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks, there is a new video EVERY day at 5:30 am!

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

Douglas fir is really stringing at the butt end for like the 1st 2 to 3 feet not as bad as Elm.. But all wood is so happy it is firewood ut just turns to ash..

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yup, you got that right all wood is happy to be firewood!

[@CABINDAD]

Geez, I keep hearing the rock maple thing of yours. I’ve never heard it before and I’m 68. Just call it hard maple and quit with the rock. You got rocks in the head?

[@InTheWoodyard]

It is a regional thing, the real name is sugar maple but is northern Wisconsin it is called hard maple in other parts of the country they call it rock maple and I suppose there are other regional names too. I have about 60,000 viewers in 55 countries and they all have an opinion and they are all correct. As long as they keep watching!!! HA!

[@adridcc]

This was a great video. Thanks. I also found a playlist showing how to identify wood by looking at the end grain. kzbin.info/aero/PLMVjQeszKDAwAuEqT8GzG24F2k5D0AB3v

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks!

[@huntfish624]

And in the deep south we have a list of more oaks like - LIVE Oak , Laurel Oak , Water Oak , Turkey Oak , Sawtooth Oak ,and we do have the Jack Oak.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yes, I figured different parts of the country would have lots more kinds, that is great!

[@aminsadiqattari9288]

Great video guys. I hava a piece of firewood that i am trying to figure out what type of wood it is. Is there a way i can send a picture. Thanks

[@InTheWoodyard]

[e-mail]

[@sycamoreranch3983]

I'm in Maryland and have several large dead honey locust trees. I recently split some. What's your opinion of Honey locust for firewood?

[@InTheWoodyard]

VERY VERY good firewood!!!

[@ozzmann3217]

Wanted to see you guys make this video on different species for firewood my big thing is in a bundle mostly bark off can’t see what’s what and also really want to know what it looks like while in the ground to id it so i can cut some in the future.. only thing I know is oak has sun rays on the ends from center to outside

[@InTheWoodyard]

We have mad 4-5 videos about just that over the last couple years, they are on my channel.

[@Incognegrorn]

Oaks have Rays! Oakley wears Ray-Bans! 😂 This is how I’ll remember.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Ok!

[@JesseLJohnson]

I hate river birch lol. I have them in my yard. I cut all them down but one now. They drop branches constantly and in the spring they drip some gummy sap whatever it is all over the cars hard to get off and the leaves seem to come after everything else and they fall from spring through fall always cleaning leaves up in the yard. They do look nice I guess but they are a pain in the ass. They were almost all dying anyway so I took them all out but on the side of the yard the ones on the sides of my driveway are all long gone now cut the last of them out in March last year. They seem to grow in bunches of 3. See them all over here on the SC coast and the other house on the AL coast I have even seen them at the 3rd house up near Erie, PA but not that many. Lawn is a lot nicer now they are gone too. I sodded my lawn when I bought it and I sodded 2x after plus seeded a bunch of times. Must be the river birch was stealing the water or to much shade I don't know but my lawn never looked that good no matter how much I work on it or spend. So much nicer now I got rid of those damn trees. If the last remaining one starts to show any problems its gone too

[@InTheWoodyard]

Ha! They make good firewood!

[@jefflandon9125]

Another great video do you get any iron wood I get some with my pulp cords great fire wood also I burn hard maple the mice seem to like eating the bark so it's bark less by time it's seasoned in my shed

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yes I do get ironwood! And yes the mice do feast on my maple too!

[@davidlibby7230]

A wood that I do not hear much about on the firewood channels is Beech. Do you have Beech in Wisconsin and do you use it for firewood?

[@InTheWoodyard]

We have very little but north of us in the U.P. of Michigan they have quite a bit of it.

[@larryterrell8458]

Ash. Is it in NC ? I don’t know the difference, similar to gum?? I ain’t got a clue

[@InTheWoodyard]

Good question! I have never been there, start up the GOOGLE and do some research it is how I learn. Good luck!

[@Lifeinthe906]

I had a curly maple incident a number of years ago. It was blown down I almost cried when I split the first block.super curly. I check my maple before I block it if there is any indication of curl. I'm terrible as identifying wood because I work mostly with maple . Thanks for the education Chris and Kenny. GNI

[@InTheWoodyard]

Tears! I am always learning myself too!

[@rackman5111]

Great video Chris and Kenny my to favorite wood fondlers 🤣 even though I know my wood I always lurn something 🤪

[@InTheWoodyard]

We are fondlers of wood no doubt!! HA!

[@billybobswood8153]

Another Great Wood Vid!!! Keep Em' Coming!!! i have trouble identifying some woods around here especially some that comes out of the cities! yrs ago people brought in trees from different locations and now that they are old they're cutting them down and they are hard to identify! GNI Chris and Ken

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks, will do! Yes, city trees are always a problem!

[@coreyriley7160]

G’morning Chris. Awesome video, I learned a few things ! Always a good time when the brothers are together. Thanks. GoodNightIrene

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad you enjoyed it Corey!

[@stuartsplace100]

thanks for explaning about the wood,wow,lots to learn

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@turklayher4794]

Never a dull moment with Ken is in the picture! Smell-o-meter gotta love it 😀. Here in lower Michigan I have some pig nut hickory much courser than bitter nut and another species of ash called green ash. It's like splitting elm but it burns great. Like you said different areas sometimes different trees. Another quality video Chris and Ken.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks a bunch Turk!

[@kennethblack3485]

great info from the wood masters ken from kent england wonder what our english oak is

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks, maybe it IS English oak! HA!

[@brianfletcher7942]

Thanks for the species lecture professor Carlson and visiting lecturer Carlson. That is some good ish. Way more in depth than my 4-H club forestry demonstration project in 7th grade. 😊Good night Irene

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Brian, GNI!!!

[@toddsoutsideagain]

Good stuff! Easiest way to identify is to call it all firewood🤣🤣 What makes it harder is the fact that some species are given different names in other areas!! Thanks for sharing Chris and Ken👍🏻👍🏻GNI

[@InTheWoodyard]

Todd, your logic and sanity in a abnormal word is refreshing! Thanks!!

[@timwoten256]

Hi Chris. I live in Northwest Ohio. In my very small woods we have beech trees. After watching you talk about so many differant species of good burning wood, I have never heard you mention beech wood. What do you think? The nuts are tasty.

[@InTheWoodyard]

We do not have hardly any beach trees here.

[@timwoten256]

@@InTheWoodyard Ok. Thank you.

[@danshouseofsmokeandoutdoor7119]

Good information. I used to not care because all wood burns. I am having a offset smoker built now I am on the hunt for some smoker wood. Witch in my area not real easy. There no oak hickory cherry. Got some fruit woods. No wild cherry. Look forward to tomorrow’s video.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Dan! the next tree ID show is in 3 days, we moved it!

[@lawrencelasley6427]

@Inthewoodyard, another "smoking" wood around my area is post oak. It's a white oak with a hickory type smell when burned. I love burning it in my fireplace because it makes my whole house smell like BBQ. And has the added benefit of oaks when burning. Only con is the stringyness when splitting. Do you have post oak in WYOMING?

[@InTheWoodyard]

We are in Wisconsin and we might but not in out area.

[@davidsutton414]

In Chris' own words, "it all burns". So who cares what wood is what, persnickity people care. If you want to stay warm, you burn what you can get.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yup, you are correct, but I still want to know, I like to learn! Thanks for watching David!

[@rodneysweetnam8653]

Hi David - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. I agree with you. Any split wood suitable seasoned will burn and provide heat. What about those places on earth where only softwoods exist - I imagine they don't complain but just enjoy whatever they can get. Over here if you are a wood snob you'll end up real cold if you are fussy about what you burn!

[@mark76197]

Thanks. This is something I really struggle with.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Happy to help!

[@LightSpinAngler]

Curly or tiger maple occurs in all maple species

[@InTheWoodyard]

YUP.

[@chrisdaly3485]

Thanks for the education. It really helps

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terryboyd7307]

another great video guys! My grandpa told me that the waviness of the grain in trees is always at the bottom of the trunk and it is the trees way of increasing its strength as it gets bigger.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Interesting!

[@SasquatchBunyan]

Do y’all have much in the hemfir family in the Midwest? We have lots of those in the PNW.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Do you mean hemlock? We do have that.

[@SasquatchBunyan]

@@InTheWoodyard Here we often call them hemfir because the Hemlock and Douglas Firs are so close.

[@trophyhunter147]

We have tons of chestnut oak down here in north eastern maryland! Part of the white oak family and man does it split nice and easy!

[@InTheWoodyard]

That sounds like good stuff!

[@jasonlindow1159]

Is burning iron wood or Osage orange " hedge " bad for a fire place or stove , heard it burns really hot and can ruin a stove ?

[@InTheWoodyard]

Iron wood works great, I don't know about osage orange, we do not have it here. Stove burn out maybe, I do not know of anyone ever having it happen.

[@JesseLJohnson]

I burn lots of iron wood never had any issues with my stove. What we call iron wood here I think is actually called hophornbeam but everybody calls it iron wood. Lots of it here. I cut a dozen or so up over the summer that had blown down behind my body shop. They never seem to get very big most of what I cut never gets bigger then 14 inch in diameter.

[@bornforfreetaxtothedeath..7542]

Ash is the King👑 off Firewood, it splits like a dream, season fast, low smoke when it burns, has a good flame, and good btu output... Just best in all aspects firewood.. I love Oak btu output, but hate how long it takes to dry it out... Great Video, loved... 🪵

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yup, ash is great and oak is my least favorite other than people buy a lot of it!

[@waynetharp]

The 1 species orders of wood you seem to get so often ,has always confused me. I keep the species separated but when it is time to bring it up to the house. I always grab a mixture.Personally...I like having some that lights easier and for use on for warmer days, and also having the extremely hot stuff for extra cold days. I see Ken's personal firewood pile is the same!👍

[@InTheWoodyard]

Good point! I agree!

[@brucearney9536]

You guys definitely know your wood ! I have seen curley beach , almost impossible to split . Both of you have a great day .

[@InTheWoodyard]

That sounds cool!

[@pyroman6000]

Dead, dry Ash that's curly is also like that... You'll get your workout for sure!

[@nathankopowski5956]

I absolutely love the smell of white oak!!

[@InTheWoodyard]

Cherry is my favorite!

[@denverbasshead]

Ash is the easiest wood ive found to split besides tulip poplar with my x27

[@InTheWoodyard]

Frozen straight red oak is awesome!

[@denverbasshead]

@@InTheWoodyard I've never split in the winter, maybe I'll have to try!

[@bensti]

How do you approche the increase of gas price and the price of the wood cord?

[@InTheWoodyard]

Raise the prices to cover your costs just like all other manufacturers will do. Voting matters!

[@bensti]

@@InTheWoodyard thx ! cheer from Québec

[@yakbranson]

The curly maple is caused by the weight of the tree. It's the compression of the grain. Its also called quilting or fiddle back. The Rays in the oak are medullary rays.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Then why is it that only one out of thousands of maple trees have it? Also we have seen curly maple on 12 inch trees and straight grain on 40 inch trees??? A disease or defect makes more sense. I will ask a forester to find out sometime. Yes, the medulary rays on oak!

[@yakbranson]

@@InTheWoodyard it's the compression from wind and weight. Not all trees will get it. I have 5 30" or bigger hard maple logs right now and not all have quilted grain.

[@yakbranson]

@@InTheWoodyard on second though. You clearly dont know. You asked ppl to comment if they did. I tell you. Then you proceed to admit you dont know but I'm not right because you dont know. In conclusion you just lost a veiwer. Good night irene!🖐

[@brianfletcher7942]

@@yakbranson what is wrong with a good healthy discussion? Don’t go away. You offered a great theory on the cause and Chris just asked another thought provoking question, because he doesn’t know. He was not trying to shoot your knowledge down!

[@yakbranson]

@@brianfletcher7942 my answer isn't a theory. It's the reason. His response is assuming I couldn't possibly be right cause he thinks differently. How does he know I'm not a forester.

[@adamcarter5678]

Chris & Kenny thanks for the knowledge! Very good video!

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Adam!

[@abelim2478]

very educational indeed

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Abe!

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Thanks, lots of good info there

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pyroman6000]

I have both Silver maple and Ash that's curly like that. Not a woodworker, and it was bucked before I knew it was curly... The maple was cut in early spring, when it was full of sap. The logs then fermented, and took on all kinds of colors. (seriously, they smell like Tang, when you split them.) One way I've found to tell the difference between Red and Silver maple, once it's split- is that the heart wood of red maple is grayish in color, while Silver maple is brown. With bark on, it's pretty easy. Silver maple ranges from plate-like on the upper part, to almost shag bark- like on the main trunk. Red maple has more of the usual vertical grooves. ( like white oak, or norway maple, or walnut) Limb wood? I can't really tell. Red maple looks an awful lot like Sugar maple (the limb bark)- but the weight is the tell. Split a piece, and it's VERY white, with grayish heartwood. Hard maples (Sugar and Norway) have a finer grain, and more gold to the color. At least here in NY. Barkless, Sugar maple can be difficult to tell from Beech. Similar color, very similar grain pattern- even down to the horizontal stripes. Both are hard as rock and heavy. Currently, Sugar maple and red maple are my favorite woods to burn. I burn for grilling or campfires, so the bright flames, and wonderful aroma do it for me. Silver, too- you really can't get better campfire wood than that. Norway maple is a good substitute for Sugar. Not quite the BTU's, but similar in every other way. (plus it's the easiest splitting wood I've ever had, so bonus!)

[@InTheWoodyard]

It sounds like you have a very good tree ID in that brain of yours, I know it takes a lot of years and effort to know wood and trees (I still have lots to learn!) , it does not just happen and you have to stay at it, like exercise!

[@Andrew_From_NB]

Videos like this one are why I love your channel Chris! I enjoy learning new things about wood and such and this had super great descriptions an tips here! Really appreciate you an Kenny putting this one together for us! Thanks a bunch!! 🔥💯👍. See you soon! Andrew from NB :)

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ethanmoore8281]

Black walnut?

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yes, I get some once in a while, where Ken lives none grows in the wild.

[@wabwee60]

Hey Kenny, would you say you’ve looked at many pieces of wood in your life?

[@kennethcarlson8713]

Millions

[@InTheWoodyard]

Kojillions!

[@SasquatchBunyan]

Oh goodness. Another saved video to go back to school on. Let’s do that on Tuesday. Yeah… learning, learning, learning!

[@InTheWoodyard]

Hope you enjoy! We are always trying to identify trees !

[@noenwarrior1]

I got a batch i split it dried fast and its dark purple color no clue what it is and google doesnt show anything that looks like it would u have an idea? It burns great even smoked with it and its awsome to smoke with.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Purple could be elm or plumb....?

[@kn-df6cr]

I try to identify every tree before I start processing it. Then the whole time i say this is what yellow birch looks feels and smells like. Then when I run across it again with no leaves, I have it figured out.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yup, that is a good way to do it!

[@haroldanderson2781]

I’m thinking Kenny needs to travel south and help his brother in the wood yard so he can be ready for this coming fall.

[@InTheWoodyard]

That would be nice, some day he will!

[@SUROBLEDEKchannel]

always listen early

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks!

[@christianmillhollon4481]

This was a cool videos

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks!

[@christianmillhollon4481]

@@InTheWoodyard no problem

[@jaredscabinlife2868]

I really liked the wood identification episodes! You guys did a great job explaining the different species

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks, there will be more!

[@davidedwards3734]

Thanks for helping us identify different species of wood. Have a Safe Day

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad to help!

[@jackpinesavageadventures3142]

👍

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks!

[@tonybunch543]

👍

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks!

[@frank4532]

A great series of videos Kenny Chris Thanks for sharing 👍 👏

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Frank!

[@shanemcelmeel7846]

Chris could you and Ken maybe find some ironwood and elm and show how to identify the difference whether it’s white elm or red elm.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yes, we are going to have another video in a few days identifying trees in the woods and that is on the video!

[@shanemcelmeel7846]

Awesome!

[@rickthelian2215]

Boys, Wood ain’t Wood it seems, see you tomorrow 😀

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Rick!

[@aldredske6197]

Good morning Chris and Kenny !!😀😀

[@InTheWoodyard]

Hello Al!

[@noahh8253]

Super helpful seeing all of these in their seasoned state

[@InTheWoodyard]

thanks Noah!

[@hankjordan2602]

I call hickory shell bark and smooth bark around here it’s hard to split.

[@InTheWoodyard]

Interesting!

[@hankjordan2602]

@@InTheWoodyard where can I sent pictures if that’s ok

[@adammoggysawmilling5164]

I've always thought you should do a bloopers video some time I'll bet it would be hilarious

[@InTheWoodyard]

Yes and illegal!

[@adammoggysawmilling5164]

@@InTheWoodyard why would it be illegal????

[@craignash4736]

Chris. Please Please. Tell your brother I really would like to buy that piece of curly maple ….Craig. Pa.

[@kennethcarlson8713]

Send a check

[@InTheWoodyard]

Email me you phone number and I will have Ken call you. [e-mail]

[@craignash4736]

@@kennethcarlson8713 im serious ….

[@edochamp]

Great info. Thanks

[@InTheWoodyard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@firewoodathome]

👍👍

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks Bill!

[@stereodyke]

these guys are like the dads i wish i had

[@InTheWoodyard]

Thanks!