Identify Driftwood Firewood?

by Jack
(L.A. CA)

I found a piece of driftwood at the shore line. I live in Los Angeles CA. This was at Venice Beach. I know NOTHING about wood or trees, but there is something about this piece of wood, I can't get it out of my mind, crazy as that sounds, and I would just like to know what type of tree it came from. Can you help? If not who else should I ask.

It is extremely light. Weighs almost nothing. It is curved, but not bent, it has a natural curve with small twists in it. Most of the bark is gone, washed away I guess, but what bark is left is much darker than the exposed wood, which is very light in color. I think this piece is the tip end off a broken branch. The wood has visible striations running lengthwise, almost like the entire thing is made up of a million tiny wood strands pressed together. The broken end is frayed, and these strands are very notable. Not sure what else to mention, except the tips of the end are flat, of maybe flattened, rather than coming to a point or pointed tip.

All help identifying this is much appreciated.

Thanks


Answer

Jack,

Unfortunately driftwood is almost impossible to identify unless you are familiar with the wood species in the location where it was found. The problem is that the wood has basically lost most of its identifying features as a function of being driftwood. Your best bet would take it to a local expert. Sorry that I can't be of more help.

-Firewood Matt