58 



THE PRINCIPLES OF HANDLING WOODLANDS 



Diameters are best measured at breast-height, because 

 the diameter limit is based on breast-high diameter 

 classes. A diameter limit based on^ the stump measure- 

 ments has no value, on account of the varying height of 

 stumps. 



The trees are marked with a special axe. ' A conspic- 

 uous blaze is made on the tree for 

 the convenience of the sawyers, and a 

 check-blaze and mark made at the 

 butt, below where the stump-cut will 

 be made. In making the check-blaze a 

 chip of bark is removed and the blaze 

 stamped with the "die" on the head 

 of the marking axe. Means are thus 

 afforded to determine whether any 

 unmarked trees have been cut. 



There are numerous types of mark- 

 ing axes. One type used by the U. S. 

 Forest Service is shown in Fig. 14. 

 The mark consists of the raised letters 

 U. S. When a special axe is not avail- 

 able a substitute may be made from a 

 shingle hatchet by cutting a letter or 

 other mark on the hammer. 



In marking timber one works over a given stand in 

 progressive strips. The blazes are made on the side of 

 the trees facing the outside edge of the strip. Thus, if 

 the strips run north and south and progress east, the 

 blazes nre on the east side of the trees. This enables the 



FIG. 14. Mark- 

 ing Axe. 



