East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-09-24
OREGON LEADS ALL STATES OF UNION
NQUANTITY OF MARKETABLE TIMBER
Thirty Seven Per Cent of s. Timber is in Northwestern
States, Oregon Having Substantial Lead.

Within the boundaries of oregon is
more standing timber than any other
state in the Union. The three coast
states of California. Oregon and Wash
ington contain 81 per cent of all mer-
chantable standing timber of the Unit
ed States.
as follows: California, 324, 117,000,-
900 board feet: Oregon, 452. 600, ,00O,-
900: Washington. 2eS.374,574.s5L
These forests are mainly soft woods
or evergreens. East of the Casuade
mountains. western yellow pine pre-
dominates. while west of their bar
rier Douglas fir. spruce. western hem
lock and western red cedar are the
principal woods in Washington and
Oregon, and redwood in California.
These facts are known to the lum-
ber industry But during the war
study was conducted to ascertain the
status of the numbering industry of
the south and gulf states. The most
pertinent fact developed was that in
side of five years so per cent of the
southern operators would be forced
to locate elsewhere, If they were go
ing to continue to manufacture lum-
only remaining territory of this coun-
try. With the exception of Oregon
and Washington, decreases were noted
in the general lumber regions in 1918.
the yellow pine group of states re-
corded "A 20 per cent smaller cut in
1918 than in 1917 "a decrease of 19
per cent in the North Carolina pine
group and a per cent drop in the
lake states is tho record noted.
II is natural to consider Oregon as
having softwood forests, but the fact
remains that considerable supply of
oak, ash. maple and alder is obtain
able. that can be utilized to augment
the diminishing supply of hardwoods
in the middle west. Little is neces-
sary to be said regarding the Douglas
fir, hemlocl. spruce or cedar of this
region. for their uses are well known
and established. but the inferior spe-
uies and hardwoods of the state are
being studied with a view of further
exploitation.
These hardwoods occur in similar
locations to those of the middle west
on the better land, along rivers creeks
and bottoms. Locations are available,
where the supply warrants the estah-
lishment of sawmills and even re-
manufacturing plants.
The fact that the several hardwoods
are scattered makes it impossible to
estimate the total available supplysin
figures: nevertheless, 1t is known that
sufficient quantities do exist to have
an important bearing on the indus~
trial activity of the region.
Oregon oak is the largest species
hos 4,
short trunk normally, with a large
bushy crown. 1t ranges in diameter
from Is to SO inches and form so to
so feet in height The wood is hard
rather coarse grained, fought and
strong, and because of these charac-
teristies is adapted to uses of the
eastern oaks. In grain and texture it
is like the oaks of the east, and the
Oregon oak is used for making furni-
ture. fixtures and high-grade interior
trim. Its strength adapts it for ham
dies, vehicle parts, etc. Specific uses
are for baskets, boats CRANES, ribs,
keels). fixtures, furniture, chairs, ham
dies, insulator pins. saddles, vehicle
parts.
Oregon maple. commonly known as
/ big leaf maple, is the only commercial
maple of the Pacific coast. 1t abounds
on the better soils along the rivers
west of the Cascade mountains. The
of good diameter and quality. The
height ranges from so to so feet.
The wood is fine-grained. hard
though and strong, and compares IA
vorably with the eastern sugar ma
/ ple. II IL easily turned, which fact
ieUmmends it Tor pttlcss and hroom
! handles, for in use Il must wear