Look at Growth Rings
Heart pine shows very tight growth rings and a warm amber hue; cypress rings are wider with a lighter yellow-brown tone.
Check Smell and Resin
Cypress has a distinct clean, woody aroma and oily feel. Pine resins are stickier and darker.
Examine Rays and Pores
White oak features visible medullary rays and closed pores; red oak has open pores that allow light to pass when backlit.
Weight and Hardness
Heart pine is heavy and hard; cypress is lighter and softer; live oak is extremely heavy.
Use Tools
A magnifier, UV light, and basic chemical tests (iron acetate on oak, for example) help confirm identifications before milling or grading.