American Chestnut Burl

[Kyle]

I have this rather large dry burl that I have been told is American Chestnut and I wanted to get a piece tested by a lab that has the capability to analyse and confirm.

It is very old, dense (43 pounds), large(18 x 15 x 11) and looks exactly like chestnut burl I have seen in pictures, and came from the NC mountains.

Does anyone know where I can get it tested?

thanks


Kyle

 

[Trent Mason]

That's a beautiful looking burl. You could send it to me and I could "test" it for you. :gar-La;

Sorry, had to do it. :slap: I'm not sure where you send something like that to get it tested. Hopefully someone that knows will chime in. :eusa_thin

 

[Jeff]

Kyle,

Try Bartlett Tree Service. They have a research facility in Charlotte and a competent staff of certified arborists.

http://www.bartlett.com/index.cfm

NC State, Dept. of Forestry could also be a resource to scope out.

Let us know what you find out. :help:

 

[Kyle]

I spoke to Tom Smiley today and he didn't know what lab could determine. He said the best thing would be to clean up the end grain and that could possibly be used to positively identify the wood.

 

[Jeff]

I spoke to Tom Smiley today and he didn't know what lab could determine. He said the best thing would be to clean up the end grain and that could possibly be used to positively identify the wood.

That's sure a subjective answer at best. Mr. Smiley needs to ask the lab folks if they have a spectral technique (they do exist) for wood species identification. It's not rocket science in Forestry, but it may take a little searching to find out who can do it and if they're willing to do it. :icon_scra

You might contact your local Extension agent to determine if they can hook you up with someone at NC State School of Forestry. :help:

http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/

 

[Kyle]

That's sure a subjective answer at best. Mr. Smiley needs to ask the lab folks if they have a spectral technique (they do exist) for wood species identification. It's not rocket science in Forestry, but it may take a little searching to find out who can do it and if they're willing to do it. :icon_scra

You might contact your local Extension agent to determine if they can hook you up with someone at NC State School of Forestry. :help:

http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/

yep..

Tom works for Bartlett http://www.bartlett.com/bartlett-tree-research-laboratories.cfm

but to evaluate a sample I will have to send off a piece here.

Forest Products Lab, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr, Madison, WI 53705 http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/

 

[Robert Arrowood]

Kyle there is a Forrestry Office over on Hwy 273 out of Mt Holly.About 15 to 20 mi. from you.It's about 3mi from me.If you want to check them out let me know.I can give you directions.

 

[Jeff]

yep..

Tom works for Bartlett http://www.bartlett.com/bartlett-tree-research-laboratories.cfm

but to evaluate a sample I will have to send off a piece here.

Forest Products Lab, 1 Gifford Pinchot Dr, Madison, WI 53705 http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/

Tom's response is now a more useful and informative one for you. Since a burl is kind of a cancerous growth I don't know if it has heartwood/sapwood, etc. The analysis may depend upon that kind of information.

I'm sure there's a $ charge/sample, but to confirm it as American chestnut is a small price in the overall scheme.

Keep us posted about the specifics of that recommendation because other members may have the same question about an old piece of wood. The identifying leaves and bark are long gone from this specimen.