36 
TAMARACK, 
Tamarack, like Cedar (Arborvite), grows chiefly in the swamps, and 
invades to a small extent the upland woods only in some of the moist 
and cold localities, especially along Lake Superior. Unlike the Arbor- 
vite, the Tamarack inhabits the swamps clear to the western and 
southern limits of the district under consideration, and even stocks part 
of the swamps of the adjoining Oak and Jack Pine openings or brush 
prairies. In these drier localities it remains small, but within the more 
humid parts it attalas ordinarily 12 to 16 inches diameter, a height of 
70 to 80 feet, with a most remarkably small taper. It reproduces well, 
grows quite fast, forms very dense thickets, often entirely covering the 
Swamp with poles of nearly one age and size, often also occupying 
merely its edges or the center. Frequently, nearly always in the drier 
western and southern parts, it is practically alone, i. e., forms groves of 
pure growth, but quite often it is mixed more or less with Cedar, 
Spruce, and some hard woods. Being salable only as tie and pile tim- 
ber, Tamarack under 10 inches is not merchantable, and many swamps, 
though densely stocked, do not contain a cord of marketable material. 
The older stands are generally more open, many of the trees having 
fallen prey to age and weather. These broken stands, with their tall 
marsh grass and large masses of dead and down timber, form, during 
dry seasons, most favorable starting points for fire. For this reason 
many of the swamps--in some counties the majority—contain no green 
timber and continue to be for years a serious menace to the surround- 
ing country. The standing merchantable Tamarack is estimated at 
about 1,620,000,000 feet, or 3,200,000 cords, to which would have to be 
added at least an additional 3,000,000 cords if pulp wood down to 4 
inches is included. 
In estimating the amounts of swamp timber, namely, Cedar (Arbor- 
vite) Tamarack, and Spruce, the area of the swamps was estimated in 
lump for some counties, but more commonly it was ascertained by 
going over the minutes and maps for each township with some well- 
informed person. The area of burned-over and open swamps was then 
deducted, and finally a yield per acre for the wooded swamp area 
settled upon. This latter is generally about 3,000 feet or 6 cords per 
acre, and, though apparently low, is not far from the truth when com- 
pared with estimates of large areas which have been examined in this 
connection. In estimating the proportion of Cedar (Arborvitze) Tama- 
rack, and Spruce, locality and market conditions are considered. For 
some localities upland Cedar and Spruce are also estimated. 
Though many of the Tamarack and Cedar swamps will in time be 
converted into hay marshes and even fields, both Cedar and Tamarack 
will undoubtedly continue to produce large quantities of useful 
material. At present but little Tamarack is cut; some is sawn into 
dimensions stuff, a little of it is used for piling and poles, but, strange 
to say, the poor sappy poles of Red (Norway) Pine are preferred in the 
