Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Mutt.machine on April 25, 2012, 11:48:38 pm

Title: Branch identification
Post by: Mutt.machine on April 25, 2012, 11:48:38 pm
Anyone know what tree this is from. I live in Delaware if that helps.
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Pat B on April 26, 2012, 12:27:12 am
What does the rest of the tree look like? Does it have leaves?
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Mutt.machine on April 26, 2012, 12:40:03 am
Could not find any it was on the side of a trail after it was cleared.
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Mutt.machine on April 26, 2012, 12:43:39 am
Im thinking either pawpaw or wild cherry. But I am not totally sure.
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: DarkSoul on April 26, 2012, 07:23:07 am
Any more information? The picture is real fuzzy and lacks any keys for identification. Leaves, fruits, buds, end grain, description, habitat, smell, taste...anything at all will help!
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Pappy on April 26, 2012, 09:31:11 am
Favors American horn beam,mussel wood we call it ,but like others said hard to tell with just the 1 picture.
   Pappy
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Mutt.machine on April 26, 2012, 09:35:38 am
The bark has little bumps all over it. It was cut during a trail clearing near a swamp/river in Delaware. Also it is hard to see in the picture but the bark has nlack tones to it.
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Mutt.machine on April 26, 2012, 09:42:22 am
Another pic.
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Pat B on April 26, 2012, 10:15:52 am
It is not cherry!
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: blackhawk on April 26, 2012, 10:28:45 am
Even with the lack of good photos im pretty sure thats american hornbeam as pappy guessed as well,and because of your description with the bumps. Also by the last pic u just posted by its ivory white wood,and the real thin bark.
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: DarkSoul on April 26, 2012, 10:33:58 am
Indeed; that's no cherry!

I've never heard of pawpaw before, but just did some research. Are the buds alternate or opposite? (http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/trees/images/altopp.gif)
Any particular smell to the bark and buds? Bruise some of its (fresh) buds and scrape the fresh inner bark. Does is have a strong, aromatic smell?
Can the bark be peeled off the stem in long strips? And what does the inside of the peeled bark look like? Any specific pattern on the inside of the bark?

These may sound like weird questions, but they are truely key questions for the identification of the botanical family pawpaw is part of.
Title: Re: Branch identification
Post by: Mutt.machine on April 26, 2012, 11:11:32 am
The wood has virtually no smell to it. The bark peels off in small 1" long strips that is stringy.