no 



FOREST COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 



Northern white cedar, or arborvitae, grows in all parts of the 

 State, but is more abundant in the northern and eastern parts. 

 It will grow well in almost any soil, and, as all woodsmen 

 know, often makes dense, pure growths in swamps. While it 

 is not a rapid grower it is easily propagated, and therefore desir- 

 able for planting in very wet places. The wood is light, soft, 

 brittle, and one of the most durable woods of the country in 

 contact with the soil. Its largest use has been, and still is, for 

 railroad ties, shingles, poles, and fence posts. Its principal use 

 in Maine factories is in the manufacture of canoes; it is used 

 for ribs by practically all Maine canoe builders, and, to some ex- 

 tent, for planking. It is, however, being replaced for the latter 

 purpose by western red cedar because the latter may be had in 

 clear stock and large sizes, whereas white cedar is seldom clear 

 in sizes much larger than rib stock. The entire amount con- 

 sumed was grown within the State. 



Douglas Fir. 



TABLE 21. 



In the year 191 o the State of Washington produced more 

 lumber than any State in the Union, a large portion of which 

 was Douglas fir. The wood of Douglas fir is strong and hard, 

 not very heavy, and fairly durable. It can be used for practi- 

 cally any of the uses to which the eastern pines of both the 

 North and South have been put. Douglas fir is used chiefly for 

 construction, ties, and poles. It is brought to Maine to be 

 used chiefly as ship spars, because of the large size and 

 straightness of the trees. Mature trees in the Pacific North- 

 west reach a height of 300 feet and a diameter of 10 feet. 

 White pine formerly furnished all the spar material on the 



