A notable difference between the estimates of the two surveys which 

 is not apparent from a comparison of the statistics, is the observed 

 change in volume distribution. Except for Ferry County, which still 

 has extensive stands of saw timber, the board-foot volume in 1948 is 

 much less concentrated in large blocks than in 1935. 



GROWTH AND DRAIN 



Gross and net growth -- During the period 1937 - 1946 gross growth is 

 estimated to have averaged 313 million board feet annually. During 

 the same period drain averaged 312 million board feet — 200 million 

 feet of cutting drain and 112 million feet of unsalvaged mortality. 

 Net growth, that is, gross growth minus mortality averaged 201 mil- 

 lion board feet annually. This is the maximum annual cut of green 

 timber that could have been sustained without reducing the growing 

 stock. The unsalvaged mortality estimated at 112 million board feet 

 annually represents additional volume that might have been utilized 

 under more intensive management. Although growth virtually balanced 

 drain, considering all species, drain greatly exceeded growth of 

 white pine, the most highly prized species. The growing stock of 

 this species was approximately halved. Cedar, larch and ponderosa 

 pine were also overcut. This trend was offset by increases in the 

 growing stock of the less valuable species, chiefly Douglas-fir, 

 balsam firs and lodgepole pine. 



Drain on commercial forest land from saw-timber trees for commodity 

 use averaged 182 million board feet annually for the period 1937 - 

 1946. In addition waste resulting from logging accounted for 18 

 million board feet of drain. Lumber was the principal item of 

 production, making up 80 percent of the drain for commodity use. 

 Fuelwood was second. Other products included poles and piling, pulp- 

 wood, fence posts, mine timbers, and hewn ties. 



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