OT - Please help me identify this hardwood (pic)

[veggieburger]

Originally Posted by Marc40a

Looks like Oak to me.

You might want to season that bad larry for 2 years, if possible. That weight you're feeling is all water. Oak takes a loooong time to give up the goods.

Will do. thanks all!

[Peter B]

Another vote for unseasoned oak.

[bob heinatz]

Looks like Oak that I split alot.

[redir]

Originally Posted by fmradio516

Where is the best source to start learning how to identify woods? I am always on the search for Oak, Maple, and Apple for my smoker. A lot of times, on free craigslist, there is a ton of free wood but they dont know what it is.

This is an excellent site: https://www.wood-database.com/

[zmalwo]

Am I the only one who's feeling some kind of phobia from the pattern?

[fmradio516]

Originally Posted by redir

This is an excellent site: https://www.wood-database.com/

This is awesome! Thanks!

[NHAero]

I have a woodshed full of mostly white oak and it doesn't look like that. But that looks like wood that's begun to decay from laying on the ground, as someone previously said.

[oliver1850]

It doesn't look like oak to me. Pic of the bark would help. Oak has a very distinctive smell, but that only helps if you know it.

[redir]

Originally Posted by zmalwo

Am I the only one who's feeling some kind of phobia from the pattern?

It's not Snake Wood

Originally Posted by fmradio516

This is awesome! Thanks!

You bet.

[MattTuck]

For those of you splitting wood, are you using a hydraulic splitter or a maul? I need to split some stuff, and wondering how hard it is to do by hand.

[NHAero]

By hand, but never more than 1-3/4 cords annually. Get a rubber collar for the handle so when you miss (particularly when using a steel wedge) if you get a wooden handled maul.

I've found it relaxing to split wood, but don't ever take it as a "gotta get it done this weekend" task. I have a woodshed to keep the rain off, and to hold enough wood to have a year's worth ahead so it's dry.

Originally Posted by MattTuck

For those of you splitting wood, are you using a hydraulic splitter or a maul? I need to split some stuff, and wondering how hard it is to do by hand.

[smead]

Live oak, but can't be sure w/o seeing the bark.

[C40_guy]

Might want to mosey on over to hearth.com.

Lots of wood experts there, and plenty of interesting threads on woodburning and other stuff...

[Willy]

Originally Posted by smead

Live oak, but can't be sure w/o seeing the bark.

Doesn’t look Live to me.

[Peter B]

I've heated with wood only for 20 years and my money's still on oak.

If its straight and not too big around a weighty maul or wedge will do just fine. Once it gets hefty, knotty or comes from old crotch wood you'll grow to appreciate hydraulics.