Wondering about tree ID

[VA Susan]

Here are three pictures of a tree I'd like to identify. The tumors on the tree are more gray than black but they looked black that day because of recent rains. Anyone have an idea what it is? It is very tall with no lower branches. Is it some kind of a birch?

[vicker]

It looks like birch from here. Break a twig off, or whack the bark with a hammer or something and give it a whiff (with your nose), then you'll know.

[tentance]

looks like firewood to me wouldnt want that infection near any other healthy trees.

[JawjaBoy]

Could be red maple. Looks like one I have at my pond, except for the tumors. That tree there looks kinda rough.

[VA Susan]

Thanks everyone. I'll try the smell test. Thanks for that suggestion. I will look at red maples online too. Thanks. It's on a neighbor's land so we can't cut it down even though it's ugly.

[SilverVista]

Yep, that's a big old birch tree. Entirely wrong bark for red maple.

[Johnny Dolittle]

Looks more like a Red Maple than a Birch.
The trunk in the first pic resembles Red maple
The upper branches in the second pictures could be the smooth bark of Red Maple

..... It might not be either but I don't see a birch tree

[primal1]

looks like there is a lot of birch in background, i'm kind of leaning that way to.. is it a wet area?

[secuono]

So what is the disease the tree has?

[Johnny Dolittle]

Originally Posted by primal1

looks like there is a lot of birch in background, i'm kind of leaning that way to.. is it a wet area?

Good observation

White Birch dies before it gets big up here in my country

Its hard to identify from pics when you don't have a close up

[vicker]

I agree with you about that first picture, Johnny. I'm still leaning toward birch though

[Johnny Dolittle]

You can work in the woods for years and just when you think you know it all you come across one very atypical. Also Southern trees have more moss and other kinds of crud growing on the bark which changes the color.

This is the first time I have visited this forum but I could have some fun here.

[Johnny Dolittle]

Originally Posted by vicker

I agree with you about that first picture, Johnny. I'm still leaning toward birch though

Now I am leaning towards agreeing with you rather than myself.

..... is it an atypical birch or atypical red maple? or neither

Its been warm enough winter that red maple should be pushing some red bud ...also

[Johnny Dolittle]

Those background trees also look like Quaking Aspen ....

[vicker]

Originally Posted by Johnny Dolittle

Now I am leaning towards agreeing with you rather than myself.

..... is it an atypical birch or atypical red maple? or neither

Its been warm enough winter that red maple should be pushing some red bud ...also

HAHA! I'm leaning your way. That trunk sure looks like red maple. Maybe the OP will come back and set us straight.

[Johnny Dolittle]

I had time today to take a few pictures .... these are Red Maple showing rough trunk bark and smooth upper bark. I had another trunk picture of another Maple that did not turn out but looked more like the trunk pic in the OP

[Johnny Dolittle]

These are Yellow Birch. If you google birch there are other birches also besides White and Yellow. Google and then click on images (up in left corner) and you will have hundreds of Birches to look at. And none look like the OP pictures.

But now I am leaning towards it being a very old old old White Birch with atypical trunk bark.


...Maybe it is another specie .... named "Tricky Tree"

[primal1]

it's a tough one for sure, they don't look the same to me and of course now that Aspen has been brought up..

[Johnny Dolittle]

I'm wondering how far South Birch grows

The top of the OP tree will pass for Birch but the trunk......... ????

[Johnny Dolittle]

http://isearch.avg.com/images?s=sideNav&cid={7D8525BD-7B0B-4F68-A958-DA6D108C23A2}&mid=c0d9ffa4907047d1a995d1544f45fe67-24021f9be047d0355d73f3c9d22a89a3848e1650&ds=AVG&lang=en&v=13.2.0.5&sg=&pid=avg&pr=pr&d=2012-06-03+18%3a23%3a21&sap=dsp&q=birch+tree+bark

[defenestrate]

Cut that sucker down and cut off the blight lumps. Could be burl in there if it's not rotten. Burl fetches good money with knifemakers and other folks using it.

[Johnny Dolittle]

I am leaning on those background trees being birch also.

My final call ..... Hybrid cross Birch Maple

[Johnny Dolittle]

I never knew you could graft Birch onto a Soft Maple trunk ... too cool !!!

[vicker]

I guess you can, but it will not be healthy.

[Johnny Dolittle]

I am calling in an expert ... you will know him when he gets here.

[Sawmill Jim]

I'm going for maple but not red maple . Looks like it was trying to grow some burls .Silver maple i bet .I got one it will put a gallon of sap a day on your car in the summer time

http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/s...ee-Species.htm

But i been wrong before . Yep we got Birch here too

[Johnny Dolittle]

Well that settles that

..... and now I will never know what Maple flavored Birch Beer tastes like.

[Johnny Dolittle]

I think Jim has nailed it
http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/kids/tree_silv.htm

Silver maple is not a Red Maple but is a Soft Maple. Soft Maple tends to be used synonymously with Red Maple but is not quite accurate to do so ..... Silver Maple is a Soft Maple but not a Red Maple. Silver Maple turns yellow in the fall like Hard (Sugar) Maples.

.... gets confusing

[haypoint]

Silver Maple has more loose bark, but maybe because it is a smaller tree, it doesn't show the loose bark, yet. Silver maple has skinny maple leaf shaped leaf. Soft Maple, AKA Red Maple has fat maple leaves. There is also a Red Maple that has deep dark red leaves all summer. Then there is the Japanise Red Maple that has lacy leaves. Could also be a Hard Maple, AKA Sugar Maple.
Once you get leaves, you can be sure.
The Soft Maple/Red Maple will put out some red seed like stuff in the spring, before leaves.

[primal1]

I'm still a bit unsure, though the lower bark could pass for silver maple, the younger doesn't look grey enough.. could be the lighting in the picture though... Hope VA Susan posts a picture when the buds open!