Bark/Wood identification

[Rockn H]

I'am trying to find some good references on identifying different hardwood species by their bark and or wood.  I have been getting a lot of logs that I need help identifying.  They are mostly from tree trimmers and developers.  I can get close on some but I don't always trust my opinion. Any help is appreciated.  Thanks

[Tom]

Those little Audubon tree ID books are good.  They have some decent color photographs and a good but short write-up.   It's not a dichotomous key so you have to search the pictures.

Bark Identification is a chore regardless of where you live.   I doubt you will find an "answer all" type book that you could take to the field..

The best thing, I've found, is education through experience.  Make a point of learning to identify the wood in your locale.   Your customers will be impressed.  As a matter of fact, your customers expect it. In their eyes, you have a sawmill so you are an expert in "everything" that has to do with wood.

[Rockn H]

Tom, right now, with the trees starting to bud out I am in the process of starting a mental and digital record of bark as I can, I am, identifying the different trees.  I never had a problem with identifying the whole tree, but now I find my self second and third and even just giving up guessing with just a 12' log and not even limb to go by. Now I'm looking at trees, that is bark, like never before.   I've heard books mentioned about identifying a tree by its wood or cell structure, but can't seem to find a name or author.  I know we used one in college but the local college book store , over the phone, has no idea.  And I can't remember what I read last week.
You are right about the customer.  And for them and myself, I really want to know what species I'm dealling with,  without all of my second guessing I've been doing lately.

[SwampDonkey]

Rockn H,

'Text Book of Wood Technology: Structure, Identification, Properties, and Uses of Commercial Woods of the US and Canada' is a book used in many forestry schools to id wood. I have the Fourth edition (1980) by A. J. Panshin and Carl de Zeeuw. ISBN 0-07-048441-4

  Found on Amazon.com

[Rockn H]

Thanks SwampDonkey.
I'll try that book.  I took a few pictures today and I'm trying to post them.  One problem that I didn't mention is that a lot of what I have are the limbs and not the trunks.  Really messes me up.

[Tom]

While you are at it, don't forget the smells as well as the looks.  Sometimes those smells stay with you a lot longer than the visuals.

[Rockn H]

You're right Tom. Smells do seem to trigger memory better than most senses.

[Rockn H]

Only had two pics left on camera so these aren't much but maybe you can see what I mean.  Wish I could figure out how to get bigger pics without going over 30kb.
the one on the right is white oak and I'm calling the one on the left southern red oak.  The bottom is another of the southern red oak.

[Tom]

I use xat optimizer.  You can get a free demo version at www.xat.com

Instructions can be found in a lot of places on the forum but I know they are here.  Go to "forum extras"  top right hand corner of the forum page. then go to knowledge base and then to posting photos.   
the topic:"Behind the forum" has threads on optimization also.