Wood identification

[MajorDanby]

Hi all,

 

First time poster here. I was hoping you may be able to help me identify the following wood

 

This has come from a wooded area next to my house, specifically a tree that had been felled a while ago, as such there are no leaves etc. 
 

From a bit of a google I was considering if this was a wild cherry, however the characteristics when I put it in my wood burner are not what I would expect. It is quite hard to get lit, and burns for a long time. The colour of the wood is a deep red brown and is relatively easy to split with an 8lb maul (although not as easy as Ash), despite being pretty much seasoned from lying on the ground for a couple of years. Moisture content is well below 20%.

 

Most important thing is that once it gets going it burns really well, but I’m just curious as to the species.

 

Thanks in advance

[David Lawrence 88]

I would guess cherry

 

[stuckinthemud]

Or apple?

[Graham]

Medullary rays and colour point to blackthorn, bullace type.

 

[Dan Maynard]

Bark looks more blackthorn than cherry too.

[MajorDanby]

Thanks all, very impressed.

 

It certainly is blackthorn after more googling. Below is an image taken from the net:

 

These bark markings are identical to some of the younger boughs that I’ve take. The burn characteristics are correct as well, particularly the fact that is burns with little flame but with strong heat output. It’s a pretty fantastic wood to be honest, especially when mixed with some birch or ash.

 

I’m very lucky in that the area behind my house includes a well maintained public footpath but with tricky access so there is an inexhaustible supply of quality firewood already cut, predominantly oak, ash and maple. 
 

You can’t beat taking a walk and doing a little foraging and it makes it more fulfilling when you can identify exactly what you’ve taken. Thanks all

[dumper]

Log pixie raiding log hibernacular?