Name that wood!

[OneStaple]

Hey all,

I was at a farm earlier today and was trying to identify the wood used for the old beams in the barn (now a wine tasting place). I have some guesses, but would love to hear your thoughts. The people that own the place also had thoughts, but they're not woodworkers.

The barn is thought to be somewhere around 250 years old. The newest building on the property was built in 1780. It is located in Montgomery County, MD (about 20 miles northwest of DC). I expect the lumber would be local.

I have a few pictures trying to show long grain, bark, and end grain. While the long grain looked similar on all the beams, there was some variation in the bark.

Thanks,
Tyler

[packerguy®]

American Chestnut

The bark looks like White Oak though.....color looks like Chestnut, but it might just be the patina or it could be mixed.....

[museumguy]

I'm seeing White oak. Could be wrong though,

[paarker]

The bark does not look like white oak to me, but I am not sure what the wood is though.

[JR1]

End grain looks like white oak not sure about the bark though.

[Wild Turkey]

White oak bark -- one version of many

[Steve N]

It's weathered wood

That is until a time you plane off some of the age, and really get a clean shave of the end grain. I'm not real sold all the pics are the same wood. The top pic could easily be Walnut. The end grain shot could be WO.

[Gary G™]

Steve N said:

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It's weathered wood

That is until a time you plane off some of the age, and really get a clean shave of the end grain. I'm not real sold all the pics are the same wood. The top pic could easily be Walnut. The end grain shot could be WO.

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I'm also seeing Walnut in the top picture.
Are the top two pics the same piece?

[Wild Turkey]

Notice two things about the end grain shot -- those growth rings are REALLY small and what looks to me like medulary rays are noticeable.

[Pink Floyd]

Looks like white oak to me.