138 FOREST UTILIZATION INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY 



2. ADVANTAGES OF WOOD CONSTRUCTION 



Wood is the most economical and universally used construction 

 material. It has many excellent qualities and is a commodity of such 

 common use that its technical properties and advantages have only 

 recently come to be properly understood and appreciated. Briefly 

 summarized, the advantages of wood in the arts and industries, are 

 as follows: 



1. In proportion to its weight, wood is the strongest known ma- 

 terial. Spruce is the strongest wood for its weight. Wood in gen- 

 eral is stronger for its weight than steel. 



FIG. 76. On the left is shown the usual type of under-cut or notch chopped by 

 the axe with the saw cut made by the cross-cut saw. Some advdcate a slightly 

 sloping cut made with the cross-cut saw. In the center is shown the method of 

 felling by the axe. This is only used for the smallest trees and in pulp wood 

 operations in the Northeast; also in making thinnings, swamping out roads, etc. 

 On the right is shown a method of felling trees in Europe where low stumps are 

 desired and felling of the small trees is done with the axe, the butt end of the log 

 being "nosed" to facilitate skidding. 



2. Wood is the most workable material available, and it lends 

 itself readily to manufacture and re-manufacture into many shapes 

 and designs. Most of our woods are relatively soft, and they may be 

 shaped, reshaped, or combined in structures for many decorative as 

 well as construction purposes. 



3. Wood is a poor conductor of heat and therefore is excellent 

 insulation material. Thus it helps to keep houses warm in winter and 

 cool in summer. The wooden or frame home has many advantages 

 in this respect over those of brick, stone, cement, concrete, or other 

 materials. 



4. The grain and appearance of wood are generally attractive, 

 therefore they render it readily adaptable to artistic treatment. The 

 beauty and attractiveness of furniture, paneling, interior finish, and 

 trim make wood the best material for these purposes. 



5. Wood is comparatively inexpensive; there is no likelihood of 

 a national timber famine. There may be regional shortages, but wood 



