POLES AND PILING 313 



in northern Idaho expressed en the basis of each sized pole as well as by 

 linear feet and by the thousand feet, board measure. It also shows the 

 amount of board-feet in each sized pole and the average number of poles 

 required to make a thousand board-feet. All figures are based on the 

 Scribner Decimal C Scale and on measurements taken by 10- and 5-ft. 

 sections. 



Both western and northern white cedar when found in good pole 

 sizes bring much better stumpage values when sold in the pole form than 

 as saw logs or for any other purpose. 



Felling and Peeling. 



Winter-cut poles are much more in demand than those cut at other 

 seasons of the year. Peeling, of course, is more difficult and expensive 

 at this season, but many specifications of purchasing companies call for 

 winter-cut poles as they dry out much more readily in the following spring 

 and summer. Many dealers claim that they are more durable and 

 stronger, but there is nothing to support this contention other than the 

 likelihood that winter-cut poles are less susceptible to checking and 

 insect and fungous attack than those cut in the spring or summer. 



In making poles, one man usually works alone and is paid by the 

 lineal foot. He uses an axe for undercutting and limbing and a one-man, 

 5-ft. saw for felling and sawing off the top. With the axe or broadaxe he 

 peels off the bark by standing on the tree trunk and working backward, 

 taking off a continuous strip 3 to 5 in. in width and turning the pole with 

 a cant-hook until all the bark is removed. 



Peeling is done easiest from about May ist to August ist, but the 

 same prices for felling and peeling usually prevail throughout the year on 

 continuous jobs. 



The rates paid for felling, limbing, topping and peeling vary with the 

 region, demand for labor and many other factors. On one large pole 

 operation in northern Idaho, .8 cent was paid per foot for all poles up to 

 40 ft. in length, i cent for poles 40 to 60 ft. long, and i| cents for all poles 

 60 ft. and up in length. Sometimes a straight rate of i cent for felling 

 and i cent for peeling is paid on the more difficult jobs. Since most of 

 the poles are from 20 to 35 ft. in length the cost averages about i cent per 

 ft. for both operations. 



Piling is seldom peeled for the reason that it seasons better with the 

 bark on and checks less. When intended for preservative treatment, 

 however, all piling is peeled. 



