Wood species identification (pictures included) and how to split?

[chad101]

I helped a friend cut some branches off a large tree and I’m curious about what species of tree this is. When cut, the logs have a distinctive red ring. The bark is somewhat smooth but slightly cracked in appearance. This tree is roughly 100ft tall and the base is @ 9ft in diameter.

Also, How do I split rounds smaller than 6” in diameter? I’m sure the neighbors would get a good laugh seeing me swing a maul at a 3” round lol!! Maybe a hand held hatchet? Or is it really necessary to split anything under 6”?


Tree Location: Erie, Michigan (South East Michigan - 1/2 mile from Ohio border 2 miles from Lake Erie)

 

[chad101]

Another pic of split piece

 

[chad101]

Close up of the bark

 

[chad101]

Smaller rounds - not sure how to split these

 

[gregp553]

Looks similar to maple, but 100 feet is big for a maple. But I'm no expert.

 

[LLigetfa]

This tree is roughly 100ft tall and the base is @ 9ft in diameter.

Are you sure about those numbers? That's some BIG tree!

 

[fespo]

Sliver maple

 

[mainstation]

Sliver maple

+1.
How about taking a pic of the tree before cutting, the canopy will tell you what kind of tree it is in most case.. A 100' h hardwood tree is a rare bird. There is no need to split anything smaller than 4"--they are great for wet rainy November days.

 

[LLigetfa]

A 100' h hardwood tree is a rare bird...

I find the 9 foot diameter incredible. I suppose it might be a multi-trunk giant that culminates in such a huge base. We have a large multi-trunk Silver Maple where I work that is around 5 feet DBH.

 

[Tony H]

Sure looks like silver maple and that is huge , we have tons of them around here but the biggest I can remember is a 80' with a base almost 7' it was 2-3 trunks morphed together. the only thing is I don't recall any having the red ring so maybe another maple species ?

 

[JustWood]

I think you guys are right , either silver or red maple.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I don't think that is red Lee.

 

[Wood Duck]

It looks like maple, and since the tree was really large, it must be silver maple. I don't think Red Maple gets as large as this tree. Silver does get really large, and it can have really giant diameter near the base.

 

[Got Wood]

In regards to the question about splitting the smaller diameter pieces. I try and split them all as I believe they season better. Its amazing how long a 2-3" diameter branch can take to season. Now that I have a the Huskee its pretty easy to do. When I was hand splitting I used the fiskars but an accurate strike wasnt easy and getting them to stand up long enough to hit could be tough. With hand splitting as my patience wore down I left more and more unsplit.