TIMBER VALUATION 



23 



estimate with a table based on total height and using a general 

 average for the top diameter. But with hardwoods the top diam- 

 eter may vary 100 per cent or more depending upon size and 

 location of the side limbs. The second reason why usable length 

 is much safer is that hardwoods are more subject to fungus dis- 

 orders than softwoods especially where ground fires have been 

 frequent or the limbs have been broken off by the wind. This 

 means that a log length or two must be discarded in an otherwise 

 sound tree on account of rot. With a log length table this is 

 possible whereas a total height table does not have the same flex- 

 ibility. 



Summing up, then, the difficulties and favorable factors that 

 are encountered in estimating in this type, the accessibility and 

 easy slopes make for quick work while the small size of the tracts, 

 the varying composition, and the high percentage of defect 

 amongst the hardwoods increase costs. An average of 20 strip 

 acres per day for a crew of two men is good and the cost per acre 

 can seldom be kept below 10 cents. Fifteen cents may be neces- 

 sary if the tracts are small. 



The general principles which determine stumpage prices have 

 been explained in the discussion of the spruce type so that it is 

 only necessary to enumerate the main facts with regard to prices 

 in the hardwood type. 



The best collection of average stumpage prices by regions and 

 states is that published by the Forest Service in Bulletin 285, 

 The Northern Hardwood Forest. The most important are repro- 

 duced here: 



COMPARATIVE STUMPAGE PRICES FROM REPORTS OF SALES 

 1912 



