The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1907-08-22
THE BEST TIMBER TREES.
How the Government Studies Them for the
Benefit of Forest Owners and the Public.

How the Government Studies Them for the
Benefit of Forest Owners and the Public.
Timber owners and manufacturers
will be interested in the results of the
detailed studies of commercial timber
trees which the Forest Service of the
L. S. Department of Agriculture is
making. These studies are not confined
exclusively to the well-known trees of
recognized value, but, owing to the
rapid decrease in the supply of our
valuable woods, include those cheaper
woods whose properties are imperfect
ly known. Such studies of the tupelo
gum and western hemlock have done
much to overcome the common preju-
dice against these species and have add
cd materially to their commercial i'm
pOrtance.
Commercial tree studies begin with
the tree in the forest and follow it all
the way to the finished product in the
market. The intermediate steps are
many and complex, but little expla-
nation of them may not be amiss, since
they typify the field methods of forest
investigation.
The selection of suitable place is
the first step. In this the aim is to OBJ
tain average conditions as far as pos
slble. When the range of the species
to be studied is small, one locality may
be sufficient but generally it is neces-
sary to take at least two localities, the
data from which, if similar, can be
thrown together or if markedly unlike
kept separate for different regions with.
IN the range of the species. For ex-
ample, the yellow poplar, or tulip-tree,
has very wide range, but study of
its growth and form would show very
different results in the North and in
the South.
In getting at the rate of growth of a
species, the annual rings on the stumps
are counted and the distance between
each tenth ring is accurately measured.
In other words, beginning at the out.
side of the stump, the rings are counted
inward along the average radius, which
is obtained by actual measurement and
indicated by pencil line. The lay
ers OF ten rings are marked off along
this line and then the distance to each
mark from the center of the pith is
measured and tailed. Additional data
as to the relative width of sapwood and
heartwood, the width of the bark, the
height of the stump, and so forth, are
obtained at the same time. These fig
ures are taken for a great many stumps,
IN order to secure a fair average.
The results show the growth of the
average tree inside the bark at the
average stump height. In order to re-
duce this to diameter growth outside
the bark at breast-height "A l-2 feet
above the ground, the taper of the
average tree must be known. This is
found by measuring the diameter of a
great many trees at l, 2. 8, 4, and feet
above the ground and averaging the
results. The bark width is already
known, so that all that is necessary is
to add to it the figure obtained for
growth inside the bark and subtract
the loss through taper between stump
height and breast-height
AS rule, number of seedlings are
measured to find out how long they
have taken to reach stump-height. By
adding this period to the age of the
average tree on the stump the meas
urement OF the height growth of the
average tree is complete. This would
not be the case except for popularity
IN tree growth. A given point on the
trunk never moves upward with the
growth of the tree. Only the tip grows,
and nail driven into the trunk at
given height will hold the same height
always.
The taper measurements also serve
as guide for fixing the proper height
OF stump III telling so as to avoid waste
but still get above the stump-swe]ling
peculiar to some species.
Frequently, felled trees are measured
noting the diameter breast-high, the
length or distance without branches,
the clear and actual merchantable |
lengths, and the total height of the
tree, Where this is done in conjunction
with the stump analyses, a table of age
and height is readily made from the
table of age and breast-high diameter
already explained.
III order to apply the tables described, |
the stand on average acres of different
types of land is determined by means
of sample plots, usually of an acre
each, on which the diameter Of every
tree is carefully measured and tailed |
The future yield on average acres is
then figured out from the diameter
growth tables and tabulated by decades |
Cutting over an area often markedly |
increases the growth of the remaining |
trees, so that a separate yield table is
frequently made for second growth |
after numbering This forms an excel |
lent basis for an estimate of the future |
stand on logged areas
Besides the more purely technical
matters of the life history of the tree;
the best methods of management and |
reproduction the distribution of the
species; the soundness; the damage by |
fire, wind, insects, and fungi; and the |
general form and development Of the
species, a study of the methods of lum-
berlng is undertaken, especially as re-
CARDS waste and damage to young
growth.
Finally, a market study is made
throughout the range OF the species.
Figures are obtained by measurement |
at some mill of the actual cut and grade
in board feet of the logs from trees
previously marked in the woods. From
these measurements the actual value of |
trees of all diameters is found. The
present uses of the timber are looked |
mp, and the practicability of extending
its uses or substituting it for other
species is considered. In connection
with this, timber tests of the wood are
made at one of the Government timber
testing laboratories.
To sum up, every detail and aspect of
the problem receives careful attention
ial nrf,, ~,