CCC Forestry

AERATION—Supplying or charging water with air.

AERIAL SURVEY—A survey made from an airplane.

AFFORESTATION—The act of creating forests.

ALIDADE—An instrument equipped with sights used to determine a line, or to locate a point, such as a forest fire.

ANNUAL RING—A ring of wood put on each year by a growing tree.

ARBORICULTURE—The art of growing individual trees or shrubs such as ornamentals.

ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION—Regeneration of forests by methods other than natural.

BACK FIRE—A fire started some distance before and directed against a fire to be fought, so that when the two fires meet, both go out.

BALL PLANTING—A process of planting trees that have been lifted with a ball of original earth retained on the roots.

BAND SAW—A saw composed of a band of steel, with teeth on either edge, which runs on pullies like a belt. (See p. 197.)

BED A TREE—To pile brush on the ground where a tree which is being cut is to fall. The brush cushions the fall so that the trunk of the tree does not break.

BINDER CHAIN—A chain used to tie logs on truck or wagon, or to build logs together in a raft.

BLAZE—A mark made on a tree by hewing off some of the bark.

BLAZER—(1) A blazing ax. (2) A workman who blazes trees.

B. M.—Abbreviation for "board measure", meaning board feet.

BOARD FOOT—A unit of timber measure equal to a piece of board a foot square and l inch thick.

BOARD RULE—A table giving the board-foot contents of boards of different dimensions.

BOLTS—Small logs or sections of larger logs that have been split. A bolt is usually less than 4-1/2 feet long.

BOOM—Floating logs chained together, end to end; used to deflect or hold floating logs.

BREAST HIGH—Four and a half feet high; the point on a tree where diameter measurements are taken.

BROADLEAF TREE—A tree having leaves with broad surfaces (not needles).

BUCK—To saw or chop a tree into logs.

BULLDOZER—A tractor equipped with a blade in front for pushing earth, boulders, etc. Bulldozers are usually used for trail and road construction.

BUNK—Heavy timbers on wagon, truck, or sled to support logs in transportation.

BURL—A knotty protuberance on the trunk or branch of a tree.

BURN—A section of a forest which has been burned over.

BUTT CUT—A log or bolt out from the butt of a tree.

CALIPER—An instrument, consisting of a scale with one rigid and one movable arm, for measuring the diameters of trees.

CAMBIUM—A sheaf of living cells beneath the bark of a tree; that part of a tree where new wood and bark cells are manufactured.

CANOPY—The leafy crown of trees.

CANT ROOK—A heavy lever fitted at one end with a small iron toe-ring and lip, and a large movable hook; used for handling logs.

CATFACE—A scar on a tree resulting from an old wound or burn.

CHECK DAM—A small dam made of stones, logs, or earth, used to check water flow and erosion.

CIRCLE SAW—A common power saw, with teeth on a steel disk, which turns on an axle.

CLEAR CUT—To cut all the standing timber from an area.

CLINOMETER—An instrument for measuring vertical angles or slopes.

CLOSED CROWN—A full, close, forest canopy which excludes sunlight.

COMPARTMENT—A forest area upon which one definite type of management or cutting is used.

COMPOSITE FOREST—(1) A forest composed of trees of various species and age. (2) The forest as a whole, including soil, floor, undergrowth, and trees.

CONE SHAKER—A machine in which seeds are freed from cones by a shaking and stirring process.

CONIFER—A tree which produces cones.

COOPERAGE—Wood from which barrels and kegs are made, or the finished product.

COPPICE—(1) A thicket. (2) Forest growth produced by sprouts, as coppice forest.

CORE—A slender cylinder of wood taken from a tree by an increment borer. Growth rings are counted on such cores to determine rate of tree growth.

CROP TREE—A tree forming part of the timber harvest; a tree of good form and species which will develop merchantable timber.

CROSS HAUL—A method of loading logs by team or machine. The power is applied across the vehicle upon which the logs are being loaded.

CROTCH—The fork of a tree or branch.

CROWN—The expanse of branches and twigs of a tree; the tree top.

CROWN CLASS—Trees grouped according to the position, shape, and condition of their crowns in the canopy.

CROWN FIRE—A forest fire which extends to and sweeps along in the tops and branches of trees.

CUTTING AREA—A section of woodland upon which timber is being cut or will be cut.

D. B. H.—Abbreviation for "diameter breast high."

DEADHEAD—A tree with a dead top.

DECK—A platform upon which logs are placed before being rolled on the saw carriage; a loading platform.

DECIDUOUS—Term applied to trees which drop their leaves in the fall.

DECIMAL SCALE—A log scale graduated and marked in tenths of board feet.

DENDROMETER—An instrument for measuring tree growth.

DIAMETER LIMIT—A definite size (diameter) to be used as a maximum or minimum in tree-cutting operations.

DIAMETER TAPE—A tape, based on relationship of circumference to diameter, for measuring the diameters of trees directly.

D. I. B.—Abbreviation for "diameter inside the bark."

DINKEY—A small logging locomotive.

DOGGER—One who attaches hooks or dogs to a log for skidding or loading.

DOMINANT—Pertaining to trees which overtop and suppress others.

DONKEY—A small engine and boiler used for operating steam winches.

DOTY—A term applied to wood which is partially decayed.

DRILL—(1) A shallow trench in a nursery bed in which seeds are planted. (2) To plant seeds in drills.

DRILL MAKER—A roller or marker used in nursery practice for making drills.

DRIVE—A method of water transportation for logs. (Loose logs are floated down streams.)

DRY ROT—A dry decay occurring in wood.

DUFF—Forest ground covering, consisting of leaves, twigs, rotting wood, etc.

EDGER—A saw which cuts uneven edges and bark from sawed boards.

ENTOMOLOGY—That branch of biology which treats of insects.

EXOTIC—Not native, foreign.

FIRE LANE OR BREAK—A strip in the forest kept clear of inflammable material as protection against spread of forest fire.

FIRST GROWTH—Timber stands in which no cutting has been done. Synonyms: Old growth timber, virgin timber.

FISH LADDER—A small spillway built around dams or falls up which fish can ascend.

FLANK—(Of a fire) The side.

FLUME—A continuous trough of running water for floating logs or timbers.

FLUNKEY—A handy man or assistant in a logging camp or on a logging job.

FOREST—See page 1.

FOREST FINANCE—The business of computing costs and incomes of forest enterprises.

FOREST FLOOR—The covering of the mineral soil of a forest—humus, duff, and litter under forest growth.

FREEING—Thinning to deliver a stand from suppression.

FUNGUS—A plant which derives its nourishment from the organic matter of other plants or animals.

GERMINATION—The sprouting of a seed.

GIRDLE—TO strip the bark from around trees.

GO-DEVIL—A short, strong sled used in yarding logs.

GRAB HOOK—A narrow hook that will catch and remain on a single link of a chain.

GRABS—Hooks that grip logs; used in snaking and hauling.

GRADE—(1) The slope of a road or trail. (2) To classify logs or lumber.

GROUND COVER—The vegetative covering of an area: Grass, brush, trees, etc.

GROUND FIRE—A forest fire which consumes humus and duff beneath the surface.

GROUP METHOD—A method of securing forest reproduction, after cutting, by leaving groups of seed trees.

GUN STICK—An instrument used in felling trees to determine the direction of fall.

HAND LEVEL—A small leveling instrument. which is held in the hand while in use rather than being mounted on a tripod.

HARDWOOD—(1) Trees of the broadleaf species. (2) Wood of broadleaf trees.

HEAD WATER—(1) Rapidly flowing water in a stream. Head water is necessary in small streams for log drives and for floating rafts. It may result from natural rises or from water released from splash dams. (2) Small streams tributary to larger, more important ones.

HEARTWOOD—The center of the tree; composed of dead cells; usually darker in color than sapwood.

HEEL IN—To cover the roots of bundled trees with earth; a method of seedling storage.

HIGH LINE—A system of log yarding in which logs are carried on cables high above the ground.

HUMUS—Decayed vegetable matter; black soil rich in vegetable matter.

HYGROMETER—An instrument for measuring moisture content of the air.

HYPSOMETER—An instrument for measuring the height of a tree.

IMPROVEMENT CUT—A cutting operation to improve a stand of timber.

INTOLERANT—Referring to trees which cannot thrive in deep shade, e. g., locust, larch.

IRREGULAR STAND—A stand of trees of different ages and species.

KILN—A drying chamber for seasoning lumber.

KILN-DRY—Lumber seasoned in a kiln.

LANDING—A "yard" where logs are collected; usually beside a road, railroad, or river.

LAYERING—A process of reproducing trees by burying shoots so that they will sprout.

LIFTING—Taking up seedlings or transplants as in nursery practice.

LIMB—To trim the limbs from a tree after it is felled.

LITTER—Leaves, twigs, rotting wood, and duff beneath trees.

LIZARD—A sled made from the crotch of a tree; used to support the front ends of logs.

LOAM—Loose soil, rich in plant food.

LOG—To cut and remove logs from an area.

LOGGER—(1) A man who is engaged in logging operations. (2) Locally, a man who hauls logs to landings or skidways.

LOG RULE—(1) A table indicating the amount of lumber which can be sawed from logs of given sizes. (2) A log scaling stick.

LOG SCALE—A scaling stick for measuring the contents of logs in board feet.

LOP—To cut up a tree top for disposal.

LOW LINE—A method of dragging or snaking logs to yards or landings by means of steel cables and power winches.

LUMBER JACK—One who works on logging operations.

MARKING HATCHET (AX)—A hatchet used for blazing and branding trees and logs.

M. B. M.—Abbreviation for "thousand board feet."

MENSURATION—The science of measuring forest products.

MERCHANTABLE TIMBER—Salable timber.

MILL CHECK—A measure of the quantity of lumber sawed by a mill from logs of known dimensions.

MOTHER TREE—A picturesque name for seed trees left on logging operations.

MULCH—Material such as straw, leaves, or burlap placed on the soil for protection.

"NIGGER"—A steam-driven mechanical arm used in sawmills to adjust and manipulate logs on the saw carriage.

NOTCH—To cut a notch in a tree before sawing, to prevent splitting and binding, and to control the direction of fall.

OPENING CUT—A term applied to shelterwood cutting methods; the first cut in which only a part of the merchantable timber is removed.

PATHOLOGY—That branch of forestry which deals with tree diseases.

PEAVY—A heavy lever fitted at one end with a pike and a large movable hook for handling logs.

PERCOLATION—The process by which water finds its way from the surface to underground channels, springs, and seeps.

PICAROON—A light pole with a spike and a short hook on one end for controlling floating logs, or handling lumber.

PIKE-POLE—A long, light pole with a spike on one end for directing logs in rivers or ponds.

PITCH—The resin of a coniferous tree or a thick tar made from it.

PLANTATION—An area of artificially planted trees.

PLANTING—Setting out seedlings or transplants.

PLANTING BAR—A bar used for making a hole for planting trees.

PLYWOOD—Boards made from three or more thin layers of wood glued together.

POCKET BOOM—A loop boom, used to confine a number of floating logs. (See p. 195.)

POWDER—A term applied to any form of explosive.

POWDER MAN—A man who handles or works with explosives; a blaster.

PREDATOR—An animal which preys upon other animals. Insects which prey upon other insects.

PRESERVATIVE—Any substance applied to timber to prevent decay.

PRIMEVAL AREA—Tract of virgin timber in which human activities have not upset the natural appearance.

PRUNE—To trim the lower branches from trees.

PUDDLE—To dip the roots of young trees in thin mud to prevent drying out.

PURE STAND—A forest area of which at least 80 percent is of one species.

QUARTER SAWED—Lumber which has been sawed radially rather than across the grain. (See p. 162.)

RAKE (A POLE)—Lean given a telephone pole to compensate for pull of wire in opposite direction. (See p. 267.)

RAYS—Thin layers of cells which extend ribbonlike and radially from the pith to the cambium of trees.

REGENERATE—To reproduce new forests.

REMOVAL CUT—A term applied to shelterwood cutting methods; last of the merchantable timber to be removed.

REPRODUCTION—Regeneration; growing new forests.

ROAD MONKEY—A workman who maintains a logging road.

ROOT COLLAR—A swelling at the base of a tree caused by root formation.

ROOT SUCKER—A shoot or new plant from an underground root or stem.

ROTATION—The time required for a tree to develop into a merchantable product.

RUN-OFF—Rain (or snow) water which runs off the surface rather than being absorbed by the earth.

RULE OF THUMB—A simple rule for calculating log volume.

SAMPLE PLOT—A representative area of forest trees measured to obtain data for use in timber estimation.

SAMPLE TREE—A representative or average-sized tree.

SANCTUARY—A protected place for wildlife; especially applied to bird protection

SANDER—A device for spreading sand over seeds in nursery beds.

SAPLING—A young tree 2 to 5 inches in diameter.

SAPWOOD—That section of wood in a tree lying directly inside the cambium. It is usually lighter in color than the heartwood and is composed of living cells.

SCALE—(1) To measure logs with a scaling stick. (2) The measured contents of logs. (3) A measuring instrument (scale stick) used to measure the board-foot contents of a log. (See p. 180.)

SECOND GROWTH—Forest trees which have reproduced naturally on a cut-over or burned area.

SEED BED—A nursery bed for germinating seed and growing seedlings.

SEED CUT—A term applied to shelterwood cutting methods; the second removal of timber which is designed to scatter seeds for reproduction.

SEED DISPERSAL—The scattering of seeds by natural means. (See p. 100.)

SEED FOREST—A timber stand reproduced from seed rather than from sprouts and suckers.

SEEDING TROUGH—A trough used in nursery work to facilitate even distribution of seed in drills.

SEED SPOT—A spot prepared for direct seed planting.

SEED TREE—A tree left after a cutting operation to supply seed for reproduction. (See Mother tree.)

SEED YEAR—A year in which forest trees mature heavy seed crops.

SELECTION STAND—An irregular stand or all-aged stand adaptable to selective cutting.

SHAKE (WIND)—A crack (or cracks) in timber caused by wind.

SHELTERBELT—A continuous strip of trees grown primarily for protection against wind.

SHELTERWOOD—A modified clear-cutting system. The trees are removed in at least three cutting operations. See: Opening, Seed, and Removal Cuts.

SHRUB—A woody plant not attaining tree size or form.

SILTING—The process by which silt and eroded soil is deposited by flood waters, as in river beds and reservoirs.

SILVICS—Science of the growth and habits of forest trees.

SILVICULTURE—The art of producing and managing forests.

SKID—To drag or snake logs.

SKIDWAY—(1) A trail along which logs are skidded. (2) A loading platform or deck.

SLACK WATER—Water in a stream having no appreciable current, as in sloughs or above dams.

SLASH—Debris, such as tree tops and brush, left in forests after cutting operations.

SLIDE—A track or trough made of timbers, down which logs are snaked.

SLUICE—A watertrough used for log transportation, as in a flume or a splash dam

SMOKE CHASER—A man who investigates the source of smoke its forests. Smoke chasers are dispatched to determine the origin of smoke in the forest, or to extinguish small fires.

SNIPE—To bevel the end of a log to make dragging easier; to "nose" a log.

SNUB—To check the speed of logs on slides, sleds, or other logging equipment, by passing a line around a tree.

SOFTWOOD—Trees of coniferous species or timber from such species.

SPECIES (OF TREES)—Subordinate to a genus; trees having common characteristics. In common language, a kind or variety.

SPLASH DAM—A dam built in a small stream to store water which may be discharged to drive logs downstream.

SPORE—A minute reproductive organism produced hy a flowerless plant.

SPOT FIRE—A fire started ahead of an advancing forest fire by flying sparks and embers.

SPROUT—A tree originating from an established stump.

SPUD—A tool for removing bark from logs or trees.

SPURS—(1) Spikes worn on shoes of workmen to facilitate climbing poles or trees; pole climbers or tree climbers. (2) short, auxiliary roads or trails.

SPUR TRACK—A short railroad track branching from a main line to a logging job.

STANDARD—A tree 1 to 2 feet in diameter.

STEAM LOADER—A steam-powered derrick for loading logs and timbers.

STEM WINDER—A small logging locomotive employing gears to transmit power from pistons to drivers (obsolescent).

STRATIFY—To store seeds by alternating layers of them with layers of sand or earth.

STRIP METHOD—A modification of the clear-cutting system in which the trees are removed in strips. (See p. 129.)

STRIP SURVEY—Estimating timber by strips running through the stand.

STUMPAGE—Standing timber, or the value of timber as it stands. Stumpage is often estimated by the acre or thousand board feet.

SUB-COMPARTMENT—A cutting unit on a logging operation. (See p. 133).

SUCKER—A tree originating from an old root.

SUPERLATIVE AREA—An area having unique scenic value and beauty.

SUPPRESSED TREE—A tree hindered in its development by other trees.

SURFACE FIRE—A forest fire confined to the surface of the ground.

SUSTAINED YIELD—Continuous yield of forest products on a given area.

SWAMP—To cut out brush or undergrowth. A trail or a compass line may be swamped out.

SWAMPER—A workman who cuts brush and undergrowth. See Swamp.

SWELL BUTT—A log or bolt cut from the base of a tree which has an enlarged butt.

TALLY—(1) The count of trees, logs, or other products. (2) To count trees, logs, or other products. (3) To record products, distances, etc., as measured.

TALLY BOOK—A book for tallying. See Tally.

TALLYMAN—One who makes a record of units being counted or measured.

TANBARK—Bark, such as oak or hemlock, containing tannic acid in commercial quantities; used in tanning leather.

THINNING—Removing inferior trees from a stand to provide for better development of crop trees.

TIMBER—Standing trees; woodlands; lumber; any piece or pieces of wood of considerable size; a principal beam in a ship's framing.

TOLERANT—A term applied to trees which can thrive in shade.

TOTE ROAD—A road through the forest over which supplies or products are hauled.

TRAILBUILDER—A machine for road and trail building consisting of a tractor and adjustable blade for grading, ditching, etc. See Bulldozer.

TRANSPIRATION—The release of water vapor by a plant.

TRANSPLANT—A young tree that has been lifted from a nursery bed and reset; to reset seedlings.

TRANSPLANT BOARD—A notched board to hold trees while they are being transplanted. (See p. 119.)

TREE COUNTER—A mechanical device for recording the number of units being counted. (See p. 176 for illustration and description.)

TREE INSULATOR—A porcelain telephone line insulator to be stapled or wired to a tree. (See p. 266.)

TRENCH PLANTING—A method of planting trees in trenches or furrows.

TRIMMER—(1) A workman who trims or limbs trees. (2) A saw for cutting boards to given lengths.

T. S. I.—Abbreviation for "timber stand improvement."

TWO-SLED—A logging vehicle made of two sleds chained or bolted together.

TWO-STORIED STAND—A forest containing two stands, one overtopping the other.

UNDERBRUSH—Young trees and shrubs growing under more matured forest growth.

UNDERCUT—A notch cut in felling trees to direct the fall and to prevent splitting and binding.

UNDERPLANT—To plant trees under an existent stand.

UPPER STORY—The taller stand of a two-storied forest.

VETERAN—A tree having a diameter greater than 2 feet.

VENEER—A thin layer of wood glued over other wood of poorer appearance or quality.

VIRGIN FOREST—A forest which has not been cut over. Old growth.

VOLUME TABLE—A tabulation of the quantity of lumber obtainable from logs of given dimensions.

WATERSHED—A drainage area; an area from which the run-off flows into a given stream.

WEDGE A TREE—To drive a wedge into the sawcut in felling a tree; to facilitate sawing and to direct the fall.

WEDGE PLANTING—A method of tree planting in which the roots are spread across a wedge-shaped ridge of earth left in the bottom of the planting hole.

WEED TREE—A tree of undesirable species or form.

WELL SINKER—A machine for driving or sinking a well or well pipe.

WET STORAGE—(1) A method of storing forest tree seed in cold, running water. (2) Storing seedlings under dripping or spraying water. (3) Storing logs in ponds or rivers.

WHIP—A tall, slender sapling which may be blown and whipped by the wind.

WIDOW MAKER—A large broken limb hanging from a tree.

WILDING—A young seedling tree reproduced naturally in the forest.

WILDERNESS AREA—A large forest area having no roads or mechanical means of transportation and no permanent inhabitants.

WINDBREAK—A group of trees standing close enough to check the force of wind. Trees for windbreaks are usually planted in rows. (See p. 104.)

WINCH—A power-driven drum upon which ropes or cables are wound, as in line logging; a windlass.

WINDFALL—Forest trees which have been blown down by a windstorm.

WINDFIRM—Descriptive term applied to a tree which is strong enough to withstand strong winds.

WINGWALL—The extended side wall of a culvert or bridge, designed to stabilize the road bed.

WOOD LOT—A farm forest of small area.

WOOD TECHNOLOGY—The science of wood structure, characteristics, and properties.

WORKING CIRCLE—A forest area which is cut or managed according to a definite system.

WORKING PLAN—A management plan for timber harvesting.

YARD—(1) A place where logs or other timbers are collected. (2) To collect logs in a yard, landing, or skidway.

YARDER—Any device used for hauling logs to a yard or skidway; i. e. sled, lizard, cart, or tractor yarder.

YARDING ARCH—A heavy arch mounted on strong wheels, usually equipped with winch. The arch holds the front of the log off the ground and is usually hauled by tractor. (See p. 191.)

YARDING DONKEY—A small engine (usually steam) used to yard logs by one of the line methods.

YIELD—The quantity of lumber or other products furnished by the forest.

YIELD TABLES—Tables covering present or future yields of the forest.