You guys are really good at this. :thumbsup: lol
I'm thinking Anders got it. The American Beech is listed as a common tree here.
Googles some pics and it looks right on the bark and grain.
Magnolia also a possibility , but from what I know not native trees locally. They do grow good, and I have one - but that's a store bought tree that I planted. Will have to look at the bark. The wife might have an issue with me cutting it down to split and check the wood grain.:rofl:Both are described as 'stringy' to split.
Don't think this is it. Not that difficult to split.As I said more that it leaves 'strings' holding the pieces together as it splits. Also I looked up and bark is different. We have one around here that sounds similar. Black Gum. I had no clue about it till maybe 15 years ago. Friends were puting in a pool and knew I burned wood. I told them as long as it wasn't evergreen, I wood remove it. Big mistake! Never saw anything like it. Grain was like twisted and knotted ropes all the way through. :BangHead::mad: