Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-01-15
AMERICAN INSTITUTE, FAMRERs CLUB
DECEMBER l6, 1915.
The proper time for cutting Wood for Fuel or for
Tilnher.


The proper time for cutting Wood for Fuel or Jo'
Col Clark-It is observed that about the middle
of August, no ligneous matter IS FORMED IN trees
AAer the sap ceases to run II IS proper 10 cut cum
err for fuel or timber. When the TALL OF the leal
takes place, we may begin TO cut, and so until ana
before the sap begins to run again. All trees grown
in dense forests are found TO be more perlshable
than those grown in open free expanses. The best
English oak timber is so grown, and the age oil the
trees must be taken into consideration Of
mature growth are best. Yew trees have been
found in England thirty-two feet in diameter, but
hollow, growing on the chalk hills.
Mr. Pike of .Netc Jersey-Cut your wood for fu-
el or timber las the old saying is in the old of the
moon in August
M AiacomJer-T agree to that maxim. II is
best to cut out trees in the western forests at tnat
time, they do not then sprout again have tried
it on five acres
Mr. Hdtuleu-The moon has nothing to do with
it. but the latter part of August is the best time to
cut down forest, TO prevent sproutlng IRON the
stumps.
Col. C2nrk-When the sap vessels of trees are
full if cut the acetic acid OF the sap Immediately
begins an injurious operation on the wood ITSELF
The very bark and the chips Of the trees cut at
such time are found TO be very brittle. The
strength Of the woody fibres is consequently much
injured. But when the tree is cut when the sap is
down, both the bark and the wood will be found to
be tough.
M. P,ke-Yet our Jerseymen cut oaks for wheel
spokes in June, peel of the bark, and those who
trade in the spoke business have never found fault
with them for want of toughness.
President T'aLlmGdge-Accordng 70 my expert
principle governs this question; some cut
trees in June merely for the bark for the uses of
the tanner But when the tree is wanted for
strength and durability, another principle must be
observed. tree cut when full of its sap perishes
rapidly; the requirements for speedy dissolution Of
the timber then exist and operate.
This leads me to remark upon an analogous con-
sderaton, that of the proper period for the trans
plantation of certain trees. 1t has been erroneous
ly complained of as difficult operation to trans
plant the Evergreens. Now as to the Cedar, you
observe if you please, that this evergreen sheds
its leaves about the last of September or the be-
ginning of October At this period you can trans
plant the Cedar with proper to its roots &c.
with as little loss as other trees, but at no other
time.
| might, perhaps, properly remark that the ruling
passion of the tree must be observed and obeyed
if we would succeed in its proper management
And, indeed it is certain that in the annual growth
of q tree, the new concentric layer of woody fibre
which is annually formed is due to the process of
the sap and its peculiar action. This process will
not endure interruption, but will prove to you by
its loss that the tree must not be transpanted, eX
cept when this great process is suspended for the
year.
Nh. Pike-I suppose the dealers in wheel spokes
ought to know-but still am of opinion, that the
proper time for telling trees for fuel or timber, is
undoubtedly when the sap is down.
Mr.. Ha,oly-Our canal Commissioners, and our
General Government, require that the timber they
want for public service should be all cut in winter.
Mr.. .Meigs-The utility of this discussion is TO
bring to the knowledge of many who do not know it,
that there is proper time for cutting wood for flu
ell or building-very far more valuable than any
other. Many man has suffered by the premature
decay of the timber used by him in various build
ngs, without knowing that the wood was cut at the
wrong season. Our object is to say this for public
good.
Mr.. Cociran-In the North of Ireland, Oak tim
Der cut for the bark, for tanning in the middle of
the summer was, after being strpt of the bark, Of
fered to dealers in timber. These principal
ly knees for boats and vessels-but the dealers
would not buy them. On future trial, these knees
and timber were found to be brittle and short
They should have been cut in winter, when the sap
is out! When first cut that timber pronoun-
ced to be irony-very tough and hard.