Help identifying wood species

[MikeG.]

Can you DNA test timber?

Yes*, but there is no point here. This is ash.

* This is one of the weapons against illegal logging.

 

[HOJ]

This is French Oak, bought from a reputable supplier, not dissimilar to the pictures in Jimromar's post.

 

[pitch pine]

That's oak, look at the characteristic strips of light sap wood on the edges.

 

[J-G]

...not dissimilar to the pictures in Jimromar's post.

To my eye, very dis-similar - ie. nothing like!

 

[Trevanion]

Just a reminder of what Oak looks like:

And here's Ash for a comparison:

I work with a lot of both, I can tell you with utmost certainty it is not Oak.

 

[Jacob]

Those are darkish samples of oak. It can be a lot lighter, which causes the confusion.
They say - if you are not sure whether it is ash or oak then it's probably chestnut!

 

[Trevanion]

Those are darkish samples of oak. It can be a lot lighter, which causes the confusion.
They say - if you are not sure whether it is ash or oak then it's probably chestnut!

No matter what colour the oak is, you'll be able to see the medullary rays speckled in the end grain which are not present in the pieces shown.

Plus as phil.p said, Chestnut would've marked when wet steel file was left on top of it the same as oak does because of the tannin content. Ash doesn't do this.

 

[J-G]

Those are darkish samples of oak. It can be a lot lighter, which causes the confusion.
They say - if you are not sure whether it is ash or oak then it's probably chestnut!

The point that us who are of sound mind are trying to make is that there isn't a case of 'not sure' - we are all positive that it is Ash!

 

[Hattori-Hanzo]

From the limited photos I'd say it looks like Ash too, though ash does have a very strong distinctive smell when cut, sweet/sour smell.

I'd also never use ash for external joinery, it won't last 5 minutes and will go horrible black colour when weathered.

 

[thetyreman]

for sure this is Ash, I've worked with lighter oak and oak sapwood, there is a difference.