By-products of the Northern Woodlot 237 



woodlot contains chestnut and when within reach of an 

 extract plant, chestnut cordwood may be marketed to 

 good advantage. Wood from old and young trees may be 

 used as well as from living and dead trees. The wood 

 from dead trees must be sound. The wood of old trees has 

 a higher tannin percentage than wood from young trees. 

 Dead chestnut wood is said to yield more tannin than liv- 

 ing wood. There is also a higher percentage in the butt 

 of a tree than in the top. 



Specifications of extract wood 



Extract wood is purchased either by the standard 

 cord (4 X 4 X 8' or 128 cu. ft.) or the long cord (5 X 4X8' 

 or 160 cu. ft.). A cord of 128 cubic feet contains approxi- 

 mately 90 cubic feet of solid wood, leaving 38 cubic feet of air 

 space. A cord of 160 cubic feet contains approximately 128 

 cubic feet of solid wood. Split wood from large trees is pre- 

 ferred, but extract plants will accept chestnut sticks that are 

 not less than four inches in diameter at the small end. 

 A cord of 128 cubic feet usually sells for $2.50 to $3.00 on 

 board cars at shipping point, and $3.00 to $3.50 a cord of 

 160 cubic feet. Wood with the bark on is as readily ac- 

 cepted as wood that has been peeled. The wood is ground 

 into small particles by special machinery, conveyed into 

 large tanks where it is treated with hot water. The water 

 leaches out the tannin, producing a dark colored liquid. 

 This liquid is then evaporated in special vacuum evapo- 

 rating pans until sufficiently concentrated, after which it 

 is shipped in barrels or tank cars. 



