The Wrangell sentinel., 1918-09-05
War Department is asking tor thir-
ty million feet per month.


rings to the inch. and free from
knots and all other defects, it can
readily be seen that a very small
portion of the tree can he used as
airplape lumber. The very hest
spruce timber does not produce
more than % per Cent OF the whole
tree suitable tor airplane construc-
ton, while the average stand will
not yield more than from ) per cent
to 10 per cent and much of the tim
Der will Weld less than per cent.
Although the most extensive
stands of spruce occur along the
coast of Western Washington,
there are large quantities OF II suit
able for airpiane lumber all along
the Pacific Coast from Southern
Oregon on the south to Kodiak,
Alaska, on the north, there being
many splendid trees from ) 10 :
feet in diameter, rs feet tall. and
from Is to 100 feet to the first limb
growing in the rigorous northern
climate within the shadow of the
great glaciers jutting out Of the
great Mt. St. Elias range north OF
the Gulf OF Alaska. Although some
what surprising it is not uncommon
to find a four-foot spruce within 2
few feet OF the edge OF these great
fields Of ice
Although the largest spruce OPP
erations at present are in Oregon,
Washington and British Columbia,
Southeast Alaska is doing her
share, as practically every mill
is saving all lumber that is suitable
for airplane construction and nu-
merous shipments have already
been made with splendid results,
as the Alaska spruce stands highest
in regard to the qualities of
stength and toughness,. which are
very important qualities. The best
spruce of Southeast Alaska is found
on. the ives, coast of Prince OF
Wales Island and on the adjacent
islands. The probable reason for
the best spruce being found in this
region is on account OF it being
chiefly a lime formation where
there is a deeper soil than is found
in other parts OF southeast Alaska.
Good spruce is never found on
thin, poor soil. Good drainage and
good soil are two essentials TO the
production of good spruce.
Owing to the fact that spruce
trees do not clean themselves OF
branches as readily as most spe-
cies, all spruce logs contain knots
in the center, Therefore little air
plane lumber can ipe obtained from
small logs, the clear lumber all be-
ing secured from the outside OF
large logs. 1t is also quite COM
mon to find large, fine looking
spruce trees with spiral growth,
which eliminates them for alrpiane
! lumber, as lumber wherein the
grain varies from a straight line
more than one inch in 20 inches,
cannot be used tor airplane con-
struction. Pitch pockets, curly
grain, pocket rot, and wind shake
also frequently destroy the value
of outwardly fine looking logs for
airplane lumber. Therefore, since
tie lumber must be practically per
feet in texture, strais htness Ct
grain, absence of KIN ITS, pitch peck
cts and check, the amour, OF such
lumber received even from good
timber is very small, hence the me-
cessity for the government offering
$751;. 90 per N, which at first APP
pears to be a very high price, tor
wing beam stock which is the highest
grade. Many spruce trees are be
ing cut at the present time on the
west coast of Prince OF Nales Island
and adjacent islands which range
from s to 8 feet in diameter above
the swell butts and are from / so to
200 feet tall. One tree just scaled
contained "a, 600 board feet OF mer-
! chantabie lumber.