Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1913-12-10
CUTTING CHRISTMAS TREES.

The Bennington Banner and other
papers are deploring the shipping OF
Christmas trees from the state in such
large quantities. One can see from
the argument against this practice
that some writer's do not understand
the first principles of the Christmas
tree business. The Monitor believes
in forestry, in conservation of our |
timber supply and every agency that
will tend to develop in an economic
way timber supply for future gener-
ations, but the cutting of young
spruces for Christmas trees, as prac-
ticed in this state is not distinct loss
to the principles of timber conserva-
ton. as viewed by the Monitor. The
writer was not only brought up on
the farm and in the woods (which
early training may sometimes uncon-
sciously display itself but has recently
interviewed Christmas tree shippers
and farmers who are selling, and all
in all can shed no tears over the cut
ting of Christmas trees.
1t is fact that the Christmas tree
market wants nothing but perfectly
shaped trees, that is. young spruce
trees that are evenly shaped, fully
limbed and not one sided.
It is further fact that such trees
only grow in isolation. That is.
perfectly well-shaped young spruce
seldom grows close beside another
tree. Where two trees grow beside
each other or several trees grow in
"clump" the side toward another tree
has fewer and ill-shaped limbs. which
are often discolored This kind of a
tree finds no market and is not cut.
Now we are ready for the point.
An isolated spruce tree (the kind
cut for Christmas trees) always grows
limbs to the ground and if left until
old age keeps it's limbs to such a
degree that the tree will not make
clear timber. At the best it will make
cheap knotty lumber. Only spruce
trees which grow in "clumps" (the
kind never cut for Christmas trees
when young) make marketable timber
AS such trees grow side by side the
lower limbs die and the trunk of the
tree stretches up and up. clear of
limbs and there is clean, clear market
able lumber. A few days observation
in the woods or even close scrutiny
of spruces along our roadsides will
give some light on this point.
To carry the point little further
the eisolAted young spruce (the only
kind desired and cut for Christmas tree
trade) is usually found growing in the
pastures where its spreading branche:
keep the grass stunted over quite ar
area. Many pasture in Vermont il
today being literally choked out Of
usefulness because of the spruce
Either dairying must be given up il
such places or else the new growth Of
fir trees must be destroyed, and We
venture the statement that nine
tenths of all the Christmas trees cu
IN Vermont are cut on land which i!
growing up in the manner described
Thus we find in the majority Of
places the cutting of these trees il
not slashing of young growth tina
will make valuable timber but rattle
clearing up of pastures which il
many instances the farmer must do, il
order to keep the desired and necessar,
quantity of grazing land. In numbe
of instances in this part of the stat
farmers have told the Monitor the,
realized enough on the cut of Christ
mas trees IN such pastures to pay for
finishing the clearing up of the entir
ground.
We see no economic value in givin
spruce tree that is destined to be O
little value when grown, a monopol
on plot of ground for two decade
when that ground might have bee
bearing feed for the dairy all thos
years.
We do not recall ever having hear
our state forester, or other men az
Quainted with the situation, speak j
loud terms against the practice c
cutting Christmas trees as it is no,
carried on in this part of Vermont.
it's timber conservation we are afte
let US control the methods of cuttin
in the forests then. selves and spcr
our energy in preventing forest fire
One large forest fire destroys mo,
timber than the cutting of Christ ma
trees for May years.
1t is understood The Progressives a,
to have paper O. their own
Vermont. owned. controlled. edtte,
printed, subscribed and read by Pr
gressives. 1t will be a mighty expe
sive bit of political experience, "