66 Forest Club Annual 



LOGGING IN WISCONSIN 



A. G. HAMEL 



The Lake States region is noted for its advanced methods 

 of exploitation and utilization. It is here that most of our 

 present methods for level areas have been devised and perfected, 

 while many methods now in use over mountain areas likewise 

 owe their origin to the Lake States. 



When logging was first started in this region only the 

 choicest white pine bordering the stream courses was cut and 

 it was considered doubtful if timber ten miles or more from 

 a drivable stream could ever be utilized. Later snow and ice 

 roads were developed and, with the increased demand for timber, 

 cutting gradually began to include the average stands of white 

 pine and the best trees of other coniferous species. Finally 

 the demand for all species and the desirability of using even the 

 poorest trees has become so great that railroad logging is at 

 present the most extensive method in use. Its advantages are 

 numerous. All species and sizes can be hauled by rail while 

 driving by stream is adapted to light woods only. Logging 

 by rail can be made continuous throughout the year while stream 

 logging is periodic and uncertain. No logs are lost in transport 

 while stream logging often causes a loss of ten percent in many 

 of the light woods. Special orders can be filled rapidly by rail 

 logging while stream logging does not allow freedom in this 

 respect. 



A typical example will illustrate costs and methods to a 

 limited extent. Variations from this are to be found in every 

 lumber camp but the operations of Mr. C. D. Robbins are con- 

 sidered to be as representative as could be selected in northern 

 Wisconsin. The operation is only moderate in size but serves 

 the purpose better than an exceptionally large one would or a 

 very small one. 



Two camps are established as nearly as possible in the 

 centers of the timber which is to be cut. Camp No. 2 com- 

 prises a barn, blacksmith shop, granary, machine shed, cook 

 house, store house, bunk house, root cellar, office (wanagin) and 

 water tank. The cook house, store room and bunk house are 

 located in one building 123 feet long by 24 feet broad. The 

 kitchen is 14 feet long, dining room 39 feet long and store room 

 10 feet long. The remaining space is used for a bunk house. 

 The side walls of the building are of hemlock, birch and white 

 pine logs and are seven feet high. Logs for this purpose must be 

 of uniform size, straight, sound and of moderate taper. These 



