unknow wood

[samm47]

I need some help...I was looking auond a brush pile and pick up a small log that I didn't know what was....So today I was cutting it and was wondering if anyone could identify it for me....The wood is snow white and when you cut it, it has a slight camphor smell. Camphor is not native to Iowa...And it was just a find...Can you help me with my problem? Also it is a very light weight wood...[?]

 

[ilikewood]

I would suggest you have found some Sassafras. I just turned some last night and it was exactly as you described...bought it in Michigan.

In fact, my wife thought I was turning a eucalyptus it had such a strong "camphor" smell. The camphor smell has a hint of "root beer" smell as well.

 

[Darley]

Hi Shar could you post a picture of the wood and is bark.

Serge

 

[samm47]

here is the wood and a leaf, help me?

<br />

 

[jeff]

I'll guess maybe some kind of Aspen or Poplar?

 

[Darley]

I will suport Jeff on Poplar, look like the bark is grayish white if the leave got 3 to 5 lobes then is poplar.

Serge

 

[DCBluesman]

Shar...if the exposed wood shows almost no grain at all, it's aspen...a close relative to poplar, but poplar has a slightly more pronounced grain. BTW, aspen is quite often used for wedding pens due to it's snow white appearance.

 

[William Young]

My vote is aspen but then it could very well be poplar because they are closely related. Here is a pen I made from aspen grown locally in BC where I live. Very white and very little grain except on some of the larger boards. I only have a couple tons of it []
W.Y.

 

[samm47]

Thanks guys, I really appreiciate the help...

 

[ilikewood]

Looking at the chainsaw cut on that limb, that leaf looks pretty big. How long is that leaf? It looks 5 to 6 inches long...can you give us a perspective?

I found this picture of a "Bigtooth Aspen" which is a type of poplar. Does it look anything close?

Thanks

 

[Darley]

Originally posted by William Young
<br /> I only have a couple tons of it []


Hi William can I have 1 ton from you[] or a few blanks as I got some Wedding pen to do, send me a e-mail

Serge

 

[samm47]

The leaf is about 4 inches long. What are the lines around the tree? The limb I have also has those lines. Thanks so much for the help...

 

[woodwish]

I think those lines are from woodpeckers. We get them on the maples in my yard and I see WP's in them often.