Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-09-26
FARM GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD
The Hest Time TO Cut Timber.

Inc nest Atthe 10 Gut EtmDeFs
The great variety of opinion expressed
in regard to the best time for cutting
timber is largely due to the fact that in
in many instances and for many purposes
no difference is observable in the appear
ance or quality of timber, whether cut in
winter or summer.
Much depends upon the treatment tim
Der receives after it is cut, whether
placed in a position to season rapidly or
left in the woods, where seasoning will
60 on slowlyj Furthermore, climate, the
prevalence of insects that attack felled
trees, the kinds of timber and various
other conditions and circumstances has
much influence on the durability and
quality Of wood of the same species of
trees. 1t is certainly true that there is a
great difference in the amount of and
condition of the moisture in trees at diff
ferent seasons of the year; and while, as
a matter of convenience, it will often be
of more importance to the one cutting
than any slight variation in quality
that may follow, still there is no
doubt choice in time of telling trees
for all purposes. In la'e fall and win
ter, when trees are in dormant state,
the wood contains less liquids than in
the spring and summer and this is with
out doubt an advantage, for there is
not only less to be driven off in season,
but less to produce chemical changes
which are more or less injurious to both
strength and durability
In consideration of the above facts
Mr.. Fuller, in his recent work on practi
cal forestry, states that from his own
experience and all the facts he has been
able to gather from lumbermen and
dealers in timber, he has arrived at the
conclusion that the winter is not only
preferable, but the most convenient sea-
son for cutting timber whether to be
converted into sawed timber or to be
used for posts, rails, railroad ties or
other purposes where toughness and
durability are an object. But in case of
small timber for posts and stakes from
which the bark is to be stripped, then
Mr.. Fuller believes that cutting may be
delayed until the latter part of the win
ter, or until the sap begins to liquefy,
which will facilitate the removal of the
bark.
Mr.. Fuller argued that as it is the
outer portion of the tree which is alive
and contains the true sap, it makes
no material difference in the last
ing properties of timber whether it be
cut in summer or winter, provided the
green portion is soon deprived of its
moisture, so that insects will not find
a lodgment for their eggs or decay be ac-
celebrated by its presence.
For such purposes as hoop poles the
bark must be retained, as it is generally
considered essential, and in this case it
is advised that the trees be cut at sea
son when the bark will adhere TIE most
firmly, that is, late fall or early winter.
1t is recommended that ccnifcre trees,
from which it is desirable to strip the
bark should be cut during the growing
season, in early summer, and if rapid
seasoning is required without removal OF
the bark, the trees should be merely
felled and allowed to remain with all
their branches attached until the leaves
have fallen.
Sometimes there are other objects in
view beside the value of the timber
taken, such as second growth to be pro-
duced from the stumps; when this is de-
sired the trees should be felIed at sea.
son most favorable to the roots. If the
trees are cut late in the fall OF winter tie
roots and stumps will throw up shoots
far more rapidly. Late summer is the
time to cut trees and shrubs when it is
desired to kill the roots.-NeU YoyA
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