WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES OP CALIFORNIA. 9 



A great deal of interesting information on redwood, the cedars, and 

 cypress of the United States, may be found in Forest Service Bulletin 

 No. 95, from which some of the information in this publication has been 

 drawn. 



WESTERN YELLOW PINE. 



Western yellow pine grows in many of the western states, but in the 

 production of lumber from this species California ranks first, with 25.5 

 per cent of the total cut of 1910. In the latter year this pine ranked 

 sixth in the amount of lumber produced within the United States, being 

 exceeded only by southern yellow pine, Douglas fir, oak, white pine, 

 and hemlock. 



The total stand of this species in the United Staes, in 1909, has been 

 estimated at 275 billion feet board measure: of which over 30 billion 

 feet of live saw timber grew on the National Forests within the State, 

 and over 13 billion on private holdings. The species is gaining ground 

 within its range. 



It occurs in the northern part of California, extending southward in 

 the coast ranges and Sierra to the southern cross ranges. In the 

 northern Sierra it is found at its best development from 2,000 to 5,000 

 feet above sea level, and in the southern Sierra mainly at elevations of 

 from 1500 to 8,000 feet. 



The height that the tree attains commonly varies between 100 and 200 

 feet, and the diameter between 3 and 7 feet. 



The wood of the yellow pine varies greatly ; in one locality alone four 

 kinds of trees are distinguished. The wood is rather heavy as compared 

 with that of sugar pine; is hard, fairly strong, sometimes brittle, and, 

 usually, very resinous. The heart wood is reddish brown in color, and 

 the sap wood (often very thick) yellowish white. The sap wood from 

 certain trees is very light and non-resinous. When finished it has a 

 satiny luster, and is equal to sugar pine for finishing purposes. 



It is extensively used for building materials, such as scantling, beams, 

 etc., railroad ties, and for the purposes mentioned later in this report. 

 Small trees 6, 8, and 10 inches in diameter, are used for mine props, 

 although the wood is not durable in an untreated condition. 



Those desiring more detailed information upon this species ^and other 

 pines grown in the United States, should secure Forest Service Bul- 

 letin No. 99. 



DOUGLAS FIR. 



Douglas fir, in 1910, ranked second in the amount of lumber produced 

 in the United States. Although California ranks third in the produc- 

 tion of Douglas fir lumber, only 2 per cent of the total amount produced 

 is cut within the State. 



This species (called also red fir, Douglas spruce, and Oregon pine) 

 is the only one of the Sierra species that occurs also in the redwood 



