222 FELLING AND CONVERSION OF TIMBER. 



As regards the gain in timber, it is evident that a considerable 

 and often highly valuable addition is thus made to the largest 

 log in the tree. This may amount to 8 to 10 per cent, of the 

 timber in the stem. All windfalls are in this condition, and 

 generally fetch good prices. 



Also it can be shown easily that uprooting trees is a less 

 laborious way of utilising root-wood than the method of ex- 

 tracting the stumps ; for it is clear that in both methods the 

 earth must be dug away from the roots, whilst the only 

 advantage of the machines is to save a certain percentage of the 

 manual labour, which must be employed in extracting the 

 stump. When, therefore, nature offers a lever in the tall 

 stem of the tree firmly fixed to the stump to be extracted, its 

 effect can be replaced by no combination of machines, so that 

 it is mere folly to expect better results from the latter. 

 The stem itself tears from the ground a number of small 

 roots which could have been dug up only at a cost quite dis- 

 proportionate to their value. It is also always easier to 

 separate the stump from the stem, after the tree has been 

 felled, than while it is standing. According to experiments 

 carried out by E. Hess, there is a gain in time and labour of 

 20 per cent, in uprooting trees instead of felling them and 

 then extracting their stumps. 



The advantages thus described of uprooting the trees are 

 sufficient to counterbalance entirely the alleged disadvantages 

 of the method. It is stated, for instance, that the tree cannot 

 thus be thrown with certainty in any desired direction, but 

 by using a thrust-pole, or a rope, and severing carefully any 

 resisting roots while the tree is falling, it can be thrown quite 

 accurately. Another objection is made, that frequently the 

 falling stem tears-up a large mass of earth with the roots, a 

 statement often made erroneously and in any case not 

 sufficiently objectionable for the uprooting of trees to be 

 abandoned. A larger hole is often made by grubbing-out the 

 stump than by uprooting the tree. It is alleged also that 

 uprooting trees seriously delays the felling operations. The 

 sub-aerial part of a tree is clearly utilised more quickly by the 

 use of M,X(J and saw than by uprooting the tree, but if the sub- 

 terranean part is required as well, there can be no advantage 



