Tree ID (Virginia) with large sheets of peeling bark?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

wahoowad

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Dec 19, 2005
1,686
Virginia
Any idea what this tree is? It has been down a few years. Bark is peeling off in sheets like birch but it is a thicker, darker bark. I'm in central Virginia. Trunk of the tree is about 18 to 22". I can't find another tree like it anywhere in these woods to try and use any leaves or branches for a better ID.

[Hearth.com] Tree ID (Virginia) with large sheets of peeling bark?
[Hearth.com] Tree ID (Virginia) with large sheets of peeling bark?
 
Looks like birch to me. I would presuem black birch. Starts rotting and the bark peels like this.
 
 
From the picture I'd say it could be either black birch or cherry. We have a number of black cherries in our woods in central Virginia, and they have been dying off over the past few years sadly. We've just finished burning through a bunch of it and have had to move on to poplar for the moment

Black birch is a great firewood if that's what you have there. When you cut into it, black birch has a distinct wintergreen smell, so that would let you know. Either one would be good firewood provided that it's not rotted. I'd be happy to have either.