PART II 



CLOSE UTILIZATION OF TIMBER 



By Ralph C. Bryant 



INTRODUCTION 



The lack of close utilization of yellow pine timber is apparent 

 on many operations in the South. In the following discussion 

 some of the more common wastes are considered and a method 

 suggested whereby lumbermen may prolong the life of their opera- 

 tions. The data were secured during the years 1907-12 in Mis- 

 souri, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. The need for 

 the exercise of more care in felling and log making was distinctly 

 shown in the discussion which followed the writer's presentation of 

 this subject before the Southern Logging Association during its 

 annual meeting in September, 1912. 



STUMPS 



Yellow pine operators in the past have cut high stumps and the 

 loss of merchantable material from this source, in many cases, 

 has totaled several per cent of the stand. The more progressive 

 loggers now realize that this form of waste is needless and insist 

 on stumps of a reasonable height, usually between eighteen and 

 twenty-four inches. However, there are many instances where 

 waste still occurs through lack of proper supervision of the saw 

 crews. 



There are several points to be considered in determining the 

 proper height at which stumps should be cut. Among these are: 

 (a) size of the timber; (b) soundness of the butt; (c) amount of 

 pitch in the butt; and (d) labor conditions in the region. 



In the case of sound trees stump heights should not be greater 

 than the diameter of the trees at the cutting point, with a maximum 

 height of 24 to 26 inches, even for the largest trees. That the 

 latter heights are thoroughly practical for large trees is evidenced 

 by the fact that careful operators use them. 



Where butts are defective or pitchy there may not be any gain 

 from cutting low stumps since the added material secured might 

 be thrown away at the mill ; however, the faller's judgment should 

 not be taken in such cases without being checked by a saw boss. 



