TAMARACK FOR FENCE POSTS 85 



By comparing this with data in the following table of Bulletin 

 219 of the Ohio Station, it will be observed that the tamarack is 

 somewhat inferior to oak. The oaks here given include only mem- 

 bers of the white oak family, the white oak, chestnut oak, burr oak, 

 swamp white oak, chinquapin oak and post oak. 



SIX AVERAGE FENCES OF OAK POSTS 



Age in years Percentage of posts 



still sound 



9 58.8 



17 55.9 



14 70.0 



12 58.9 



8 76.8 



10 69.7 



Average age 11.8 years Average percent sound 65.2 



Varieties of tamarack. There is a common belief among men 

 who have worked in this timber, and likewise among dealers, that 

 there are two varieties of tamarack, a white and a yellow or red. 

 Only one variety of tamarack is recognized for this part of the coun- 

 try by foresters and botanists. The opinion that there are two 

 varieties, however, is so common that it is worthy of notice here. 

 R is almost always the first thing men mention when iliey are 

 approached on this subject; and they are always very positive in 

 their view of the matter. I inquired into this matter very closely 

 but did not find sufficient evidence to justify such belief. 



Most trees exhibit a clear distinction between heart wood and 

 sap wood. Any tree growing in the open or along the border of the 

 woods will have a larger proportion of sap wood, which is white. 

 It is common also for such trees to have less color in the heart wood 

 than trees of T;he same species in the midst of the forest. This 

 condition gives rise to the terms, white poplar, yellow poplar, 

 hickory poplar, and white wood, all referring to the same tree, the 

 tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera). The tamarack exhibits 

 these same differences of growth in color; and in every instance 

 where men went into the swamps to point out the white and the 

 yellow tamarack, these were the only differences found. 



There may be said in favor of tamarack that it makes a straight 

 smooth post and holds staples well. In fences where neatness is 

 more desired than durability, it will make a satisfactory post; but 

 if durability is the principal requirement, then such timbers as 

 locust, catalpa and the cedars should be preferred. 



