FOREST UTILIZATION 99 



(c) While oak bark must be peeled in spring imme- 



diately when the sap begins to rise (April-May), 

 hemlock bark may be peeled at any time from 

 May to September. 



(d) Bark peeling season for oak is from early April 



to the end of June. Trees in the bottoms peel 

 earlier than those higher up. 



The bark on the uphill side of a tree is thinner 

 than the bark on the downhill side. 



Trees exposed to the weather, isolated, on unpro- 

 tected slopes, have short boles but a heavier 

 bark than those growing under the reverse con- 

 ditions. 



Dying trees will not peel. 

 II. Peeling process. 



(a) Girdle the tree about four feet above the ground; 



remove bark from stump and roots ; fell the 

 tree in such a way as to leave the bole well 

 raised above the ground. 



(b) Notch (with axe) a line along the tree and rings 



around the tree every four feet. Have two men 

 with "spuds" peel the ringed sections, and see. 

 that the pieces peeled are as wide as possible and, 

 as near as possible, four feet long. Large pieces 

 will dry well and will save expense in handling. 

 Handling costs more than peeling. 



(c) Lean the peeled pieces, against the felled bole, 



preferably flesh side out, as high above ground 

 as possible, and see that the air circulates freely 

 around them. 



(d) See that the bark is as little shaded as possible. 



Peel before leaves are out. Never leave bark 

 to dry in a moist gully. 



(e) Toward evening, turn the flesh side of the bark 



toward the object supporting it so as to protect 

 it from dew. The expense of "curing" is so 

 high, however, and the danger of spoliation by 

 rain so great, that bark is now usually placed 

 at once "bark side out." 



(f) Pile the bark after two to three days, provided it 



is not wetted, close to the tree in loose piles. 

 These piles are left for weeks in the woods. 

 Bark is sure to mold if a rainy season sets in. 

 Free access of air greatly reduces the danger of 

 damage. 



'(g) Finally sled the bark, by hand sleds, cattle or 

 mules, over rough trails (best grade is about 

 20%) to the wagon roads, to be removed to 

 tannery or railroad. 



