Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-22
THE CALIFORNIA REDWooDs-
A Region of Magnificent Timber That is Stead
iIx-T in o1u

igan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, which
have been our main reliance, are within a
few years of complete exhaustion. 1t is
estimated that within twenty years the
logging days of those states will be over.
Therefore, from this time on, every tree
cut in that region doubles the value of
every uncut tree on the Pacific coast. As
long as the end of the supply in the lake
states was not in sight there was but little
attention paid to our timber region on
this side of the continent. Indeed, stories
of its magnitude and excellence were set
down as travels tales. When proof was
offered that out of one California red
wood tree large church was built COM
plete, pulpit and all, down to the contri-
button boxes, there were sly illusions to
Baron Manchausen having lived out of
his time, or having passed away before
he suffered the humiliation of an eclipse
In preVarication by California artist in
that line
Now there is a change. The solemn
and solid forests of California, Oregon
and Washington territory are being look
ed to as the future source of supply upon
which at least the whole interior will
shortly depend for its building lumber
There Is no doubt that in a few years an
important eastern freight by sail and rail
will be the lumber, lath, and shingles
taken out of our forests.
1t is fact already that Europe resorts
to Puget sound for masts and other i'm
portant supplies for ship-building, and
an American revival of that industry
would compel US to supply heavy home
demand for the same purpose. Such a
revival is sure to come, so that we may as
well count it among our estimates of fu-
ture business.
We have no time that should be cared
for. We can remember when black wal
nut was hacked down to cordwood. After
the groves of that tree had been slaugh-
tered to fry pork, came a time that it was
so valuable that an individual tree was
worth from 800 to $500. 1t is sliced in
to yeneers, and is SO priced by the furni-
ture trade that the process of replantinp
it is going on in the certainty that lands
used In that way are an investment ex-
ceeding in value long-running govern
ment bond.
The people of the east are just learn
ing the value of our redwoods. The
stumps and roots and trunks furnish
some of the finest veneering meterial that
is produced by the North American tree.
The time is coming when men will make
fortunes quarrying out it's stumps, in
search of the charming curls which is to
ornament the work of the cabinet maker.
But, besides this, the body lumber of
redwood is of great beauty. Polished and
vanished, as an inside finish it is scarce
ly inferior to rosewood in richness, and
for use IN furniture frames it very near
ly reproduces the beauty and durability of
mahogany, with the additional average of
being much lighter and, therefore being
much easier to handle.
The great redwood region of Humboldt
county and vicinity has not been opened
long by the lumbermen. If in the ground
beneath it there we're gold deposits of
richness averaging with our known mines.
yet it would be safe to say that there is
greater wealth in this timber It is so
free in working that there is no use for
which wood is sought that it NAV not
serve. It's durability in exposed situa-
tions is one of its marvels. 1t has been
used extensively for posts, pickets, and
railroad ties. The latter purpose alone
calls for supply of nearly one million
annually, equal to over twenty millions of
feet board measure. In a recent article
in these columns on the Hawaii recipro-
city treaty we pointed out the interests
of our growing timber trade with those
islands. One sawmill company in Hum
boldt employs several ships in that trade
alone, and besides that outlet the red
wood lumber goes to Central and South
America.
We have no doubt that this noble red
wood tree is destined to go through the
same experience as the black walnut. and
that In few years its rich tints and
whorls will be priced in all cabinet work
and be valued feature in the inside fin
ISL of houses. Of course a large percent
age Of the body timber will be utilized in
less noble ways, but such percentage will
also receive additional value by it's asso-
citation with the finer parts of the tree
1t is time for lumbermen to begin Gull
ing and saving for these delicate pur-
poses. for fashion once established in
the direction of these uses will call rapid
ly for all that can be supplied The far
mers Of Indiana are tearing down their
worm fences built of black walnut rails
and selling the seasoned sticks to the
chalrmaker for prices that will refence
their fields with pine and paint the boards
and leave margin of profit on the opera
tlon 1t will not be strange if in a few
years the pickets and base of many red
wood fence in this state should bring
money to help pay off the mortgage on
the land 1t incloses. In the eastern lum-
Der regions there is no such all-around
tree as the redwood. It is the superior of
black walnut for every use to which that
timber is put, and has every excellence
which lnheres in wood besides. For all
these reasons our coastwise mountain
slopes have a treasure in the redwood.
which should make the owners of it very
firm IN their holdings and very conserva-
tive IN Its use, for it is yet to see its high
est-priced days.
We are not informed as to the renewal
of redwood forests. If it be possible, it
should be fostered by the exclusion of
timber fires and protection of the young
trees, for in this way the limited area up
on which 1t grows is commercial quantity
and perfection will be invested in the
same permanent value that would fall to
a mine in which the bonanzas were sure
of reproduction at fixed periods.
Eight Days Without Food.
Pol NoUC