Wood Identification

[Gentleman_Sawyer]

Can anyone tell me if there is a place to send a small sample of wood for identification? I have some mahogany and would lilke to know which type it is. Thanks for all help.

[beenthere]

You might try sending it to:
Wood Identification Lab
USDA-FS  Forest Products Laboratory
One Gifford Pinchot Dr
Madison, WI 53705

I don't believe there is a charge for a few identifications.

[Skeeter]

been_there,

If I recall correctly, Dr Gene Wengert over at WoodWeb will identify for you whatever wood you have.

Not sure if theres a charge, but contact him and inquire.

Heres the link>>>>

http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/sawdry.pl

Skeeter

[SwampDonkey]

HI:

Do you have a decent digital camera to get a shot of the end grain of your piece of wood? Make a fresh, square cut on the end grain with a utility knife. You'll need a 10 x zoom lens to get in close because the regular lens will only focus at 4 feet. Being closeup will blur the image. Also, get a snap of the surface grain. One might need a microscope to get the exact species by looking at the vessels and other structures. 'The Text Book of Wood Technology' is the wood ID bible which has keys to identifying hardwoods and softwoods. I have the 1980 edition. ISBN 0-07-048441-4 (McGraw-Hill series in forest resources). Maybe its in the library.

best of luck

regards

[SwampDonkey]

HI:

These folks have colored plates of mahogany species.

have a look

http://www.thomahog.com/mahoganyplatehome.htm