Hello all - I've only been into smoking and bbq for a few months now. We cut this tree down along our fence today and I have no idea what it is. I'm guessing it's a black cherry tree but am not for certain. It did produce small reddish berries (looked like small cherries) in the summer.
If this is black cherry I'm assuming it can be used for smoke chunks?
Thanks in advance! ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​
Hi, my name is Darrell. I'm an OTR truck driver for over 25 years. During my off time I love doing backyard cooks. I have a 48" Lang Deluxe smoker, Rec-Tec pellet smoker,1 Weber Genesis 330, 1 Weber Performer (blue), 2 Weber kettles (1 black and 1 Copper), 1 26" Weber kettle, a WSM, 8 Maverick Redi Chek thermometers, a PartyQ, 2 SnS, Grill Grates, Cast Iron grates, 1 ThermoPop (orange) and 2 ThermoPens (pink and orange) and planning on adding more cooking accessories. Now I have an Anova sous vide, the Dragon blower and 2 Chef alarms from Thermoworks.
The branches in your photo indicate to me it is a cherry tree. Cut one down two years ago in the yard. It was a big tree. A cherry tree needs another tree to produce fruit - I would get only a couple of cherries a year (which birds took). I get great smoke from it. I let it season a year.
Maccapper, It Definately looks to be Hardwood and most likely Fruitwood! Can you find a County Agent or a College Close By to help you with the Species Identification? Even a tree trimmer or firewood seller could help You! There have been Posts in the past on Wood Characteristics as Smoking Wood? I think if you do a search of The Pit Home Page you will get a Link to the the Page or Pages! If I remember right it was posted by @Huskee?
The Acid Test is to Smoke something inexpensive and see if You like the Flavor!
Eat Well and Prosper! From a Backyard Cremator in Fargo ND, Dan
That doesn't look like black cherry bark to me. Does the fresh cut wood have a really fragrant sweet smell? I have a lot of black cherry around my property and the scent is very distinctive when it's been recently cut. Also, the "cherries" tend to be about pea sized and really dark purple, nearly black, when ripe. Whatever it is, I think you're in luck!
John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
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That is Black Cherry. I have several spilt and drying in my shed. You can always tell cherry by the sheen in sunlight once it starts drying. You won't wanna burn it, its so pretty. My grandfather was pissed when he found out I was burning it for smoke instead of making cabinets and furniture! Also,that yellow oxidation ring or band just below the bark is also indicative of cherry as well.
No question to me that is Cherry. What you have there is the Holy Grail of smoking woods. (IMHO)
Here is what it looks like dry. Note the light band of wood just under the bark on the piece in the middle. Just like the ones in your picture. The band will fade over time but it never fully goes away.
Last edited by Spinaker; October 26, 2016, 03:14 PM.
That is Black Cherry. I have several spilt and drying in my shed.
Excellent news! So now that I have a pile of it what is the best way to dry it? Split and stack in single rows? Isn't airflow needed to dry - you mentioned using a shed for yours. I have a spare shed that could be used if that's a better method than stacking outdoors.
(This is all new to me - new to smoking and first time with a cut tree piled in my yard)
That doesn't look like black cherry bark to me. Does the fresh cut wood have a really fragrant sweet smell? I have a lot of black cherry around my property and the scent is very distinctive when it's been recently cut. Also, the "cherries" tend to be about pea sized and really dark purple, nearly black, when ripe. Whatever it is, I think you're in luck!
From what I recall it didn't have any particular smell. The "cherries" were pea sized and from what I remember were bright red and then turned darker.
I googled "wild cherry tree", and none of the trusted sites I visited showed a leaf like yours for wild cherry. I then went to the National Arbor Day foundation and found a tree identification guide that might help you. I can't use it because I don't have enough info, but I have linked it here so that you can try to identify your tree if you'd like.
John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
******************************************** Grills/Smokers/Fryers Big Green Egg (Large) X3
Blackstone 36" Outdoor Griddle 4-Burner
Burch Barrel V-1 Karubeque C-60 Kamado Joe Jr. (Black) Lodge L410 Hibachi Pit Barrel Cooker Pit Barrel Cooker 2.0
Pit Barrel PBX
R&V Works FF2-R-ST 4-Gallon Fryer *******************************************. Thermometers
FireBoard (Base Package)
Thermoworks ThermaPen (Red)
Thermoworks MK4 (Orange)
********************************* Accessories Big Green Egg Plate Setter
Benzomatic TS800 High Temp Torch X 2 Bayou Classic 44 qt Stainless Stock Pot
Bayou Classic 35K BTU Burner Eggspander Kit X2 Finex Cat Iron Line FireBoard Drive Lots and Lots of Griswold Cast Iron Grill Grates Joule Water Circulator
KBQ Fire Grate Kick Ash Basket (KAB) X4 Lots of Lodge Cast Iron Husky 6 Drawer BBQ Equipment Cabinet Large Vortex Marlin 1894 .44 Magnum Marquette Castings No. 13 (First Run) Smithey No. 12 Smokeware Chimney Cap X 3 Stargazer No.10, 12 ******************************** Fuel FOGO Priemium Lump Charcoal Kingsford Blue and White B&B Charcoal Apple, Cherry & Oak Log splits for the C-60 ************************************************* Cutlery Buck 119 Special
Cuda 7' Fillet Knife Dexter 12" Brisket Sword Global Shun Wusthof ********** Next Major Purchase Lone Star Grillz 24 X 48 Offset
Excellent news! So now that I have a pile of it what is the best way to dry it? Split and stack in single rows? Isn't airflow needed to dry - you mentioned using a shed for yours. I have a spare shed that could be used if that's a better method than stacking outdoors.
(This is all new to me - new to smoking and first time with a cut tree piled in my yard)
Split it and sick it. Make sure you leave it off the ground to prevent rotting at the bottom of your pile. Single rows are the best but not totally required. I have mine triple stacked. My shed is covered but the sides are open to the elements so that I get proper air flow. You don't have to cover the wood. It will be fine in the rain and sun. As long as there is airflow it won't rot out. Plus its nice to have that sun beating down on it to help dry it out in the summer months. My shed had a roof so thats what I went with. I cut my tree down about a year ago and have been burning it for a few months now. As long as you have proper air flow, you will be able to burn it in 9 months or so.
After seeing these messages, i looked and saw I have two large Black Cherry trees on my property. Guess I'll cut em down and get em drying for next years smoking.
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