The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-29
Err WASHINGTON TERRITORY THURSDAY DECEMBER 20, 1881
Oregon Cedar.

Tn an article furnished to the Gard
ner's Chronicle, bf London, by Prof.
Charles S. Sargeif, he says: IL Port
land we had seen In the factories a
white, close gral ned aud odiferOus
wood, everywherd known rs Port Or
ford cedar. This wood was very highly
esteemed for all sdrts of inside work,
and appeared to possess TO high degree
many valuable Qualities. Although
distinct in color, Ierfu'n and espec-
tally in its greaterrapidity of growth,
ii closely resemblell the wood of the
Sitka cedar, and unless produced by
LawsOn's cypress, we were unable to
refer it to any species with which we
are acquainted. We had been told
that Port Oxford cedar was only ship
ped from Coos Bay and to settle our
doubts in regard TO its origin, and to
study the amount and distribution of
terial was the principal object of our
visit to this part Of Oregon.
The belt occupied by the Port Or
shore Of Coos Bay south abut sixty
miles to Rogue river; and from the
shore inland ten to thirty miles. 1t
!
streams still further from the coast.
This tree was first discovered by MUIR
ray in the valley of the Upper Sacra-
mento river in California, where a
few isolated ciumps and individuals,
local plant, with its development here
the sacramento valley being the ex-
ran ~ laar ,f 81
1t selects rather dry sandy ridges, and
coast dunes within reach of the ocean.
me heaviest continuous body of Port
Oxford cedar is Oh Cape Gregory, ex-
tending south to and beyond the
mouth of the COquille. This belt Is
about twenty miles lOng 10y an aver
age width of twelve, and lies along
the western slopes Of the foot hills of
the Coast Range, extending within
three miles of the coast. In this belt
two-thirds Of the tees are cedar, the
other tide water spruce, with a few
Douglass fir. 1t is estimated that it
contains 2,OOO, ,OOO, 900 feet, board meas
ure, of Port Oxford cedar. These fig
ures give some idea of the wealth
and pr0ductiveness of the Oregon for
ests.
In 1867 a terrible forest fire ragged
Of Coos Bay. Volumes of smoke OBJ
scured the sky; it became SO dark that
all work had to be abandoned, and
navigation was impeded for miles out
to sea. 1t has been estimated that
2OO, 100000 to 3OO,OO0,OOO feet of Port
Oxford cedar was destroyed at this
very rapidly, and after the forest is
burned over it is the first tree to reap
pear, springingi up generally in the
third year.
AS early as 1854 the first cargo of
Port Oxford cedar was sent to San
Francisco, where ever since it has
been largely used. 1t is remarkable
that the value of this wood has not
become generally known beyond the
limits Of the Pacific coast. 1t is hand
some, easily worked, strong, straight
grained, and, owing to the highly
scented resin with which il is impreg-
mated. practically indestructible. 1t
is particularly adapted to the manu-
facture OF furniture, and for all sorts
of inside work, and, il better known,
should command a high price for
many purposes. The match factories
of the Pacific coast use no other wood.
The resin contained in this tree must
be studied. We are Informed that the
odor Of the newly-cut wood is so pO-
tent that the men working in the saw
mills become, at the end ofa few days,
so weakened that the mill cannot con-
tinuOusly saw Port Oxford cedar, and
have to change on to other wood.