LODGEPOLE PINE. 71 



and removes the hiding places of birds which, in an uninjured 

 forest, eat the seeds. 



The lodgepole forest attains its greatest commercial value in from 

 lOO to 150 years. There are more young stands than old, for the tree 

 is gaining a foothold in many localities where it once was not 

 plentiful. 



The Government's estimate of the stand of lodgepole pine in the 

 United States in 1909 placed it at 90 billion feet. 1 That made it 

 seventh in quantity among the important timber trees, those above 

 it being Douglas fir, the southern yellow pines, western yellow pine, 

 redwood, western hemlock, and western red cedar. This shows that 

 lodgepole pine occupies no minor position in this country's timber 

 supply. It is ahead of white pine, hemlock, cypress, both the eastern 

 arid western spruce, and dozens of other woods which have long oc- 

 cupied important places in the lumber market. 



WIGWAM POLES. 



The Indians built their lodges or wigwams of poles set in a circle 

 and bent inward, and tied together at the top, hence the name " lodge- 

 pole." The poles were from 10 to 15 feet long, and skins were spread 

 over them for a roof and wall. No wood was better adapted to this 

 purpose than the lodgepole pine, and to that fact the name is due. 

 The Indians who lived within the tree's range, and also those upon the 

 plains within a hundred miles or so, used lodgepole poles for wigwam 

 supports. It was customary to cut and peel a supply in the spring 

 when the tribe set out upon its summer hunt, and leave them to season 

 until fall. They were then light, and were easily carried or dragged 

 by squaws or dogs to the place selected for the winter camp. Poles of 

 nearly the same thickness their whole length were abundant, and when 

 dry were very light. A pole 2 inches in diameter and 15 feet long 

 weighs only 7 or 8 pounds. Because of lightness, stiffness, and strength, 

 the poles were employed in making the only land vehicle used by 

 Indians in that region, a sort of sled. Two poles were tied together 

 at one end and fastened to a dog's or horse's back, and the other ends 

 trailed on the ground. The load was fastened on the poles and was 

 half carried, half dragged. 



EARLY USES. 



The tall, slender poles and trunks in a lodgepole forest served the 

 early white settlers as well as they had served the wandering In- 

 dians. One of the first things to be provided in establishing a ranch 

 in the far West in the early days was a corral or yard in which to 

 confine horses, cattle, and other stock. Lodgepole pine, when it could 



1 Forest Service Circular 166. 



