How to Distinguish Between Poplar & Oak Bark
Identifying the difference between poplar and oak trees is tricky when you look at only the bark. However, this is sometimes necessary if you are identifying the stump of a tree or a deciduous tree in the winter when the leaves have fallen. Both oak and poplar trees have bark that is usually gray to black with deep furrows. It is necessary to look at how the furrows grow and the tone and texture of the bark to identify the species. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Study the bark of the yellow poplar. It differs from oak trees because it is a dark gray and the furrows, or wrinkles, get deeper the older it gets. The furrows run in a vertical formation so they look like long lines running down the tree. The older a poplar is, the deeper the furrows get.
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Look at the bark of a white poplar. When it is young it will have white hair on smooth light gray bark. As it matures the bottom portion of the trunk turns black but still has white hair.
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Study the bark on the Lombardy (or black) poplar. Young trees have grayish-green bark, which matures into black, furrowed bark. The bark is thinner than that of other trees and is easily damaged.
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Examine the bark of a black oak and look at the color and furrows. Black oak has black bark, which is thick and gets thicker the older it gets. When it is young, it is much smoother. The furrows are deep but do not have the same linear look as poplar. The furrows are more jagged looking.
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Look at the bark of a chestnut oak and look for furrows that are rectangular in shape. The bark is a medium to dark gray and has deep furrows, even on young trees.
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Study the bark of the white oak. This bark is light gray and has a flaky, scaly texture with medium ridges.
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References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
