Bob, Steve, Mike, ENTS I decided to do some actual math on how much lumber a tree like the Trail's End Tree could produce, if sound.
Such an exercise is a bit morose, and I certainly prefer old-growth standing. Doing the math helps to illuminate how different the logging of primary forest is to logging young second growth. With Will's reticled volume of the tree at 2,500 ft^3 of trunk volume, assuming a high wastage of 40% for the mills of the old days, the Trail's End Tree would mill about 18,000 board feet - from a single tree! That's better than most acres of second growth hardwood forest. With a ban saw mill and careful planning, wastage on such a huge, strait, un-tapered trunk could be cut down to 20 or 30%, allowing that one tree to produce up to 24,000 board feet. My math is rudimentary, and I'm sure a more accurate estimate could be made by some of the mathmatically inclined folks on the list. Trees like the largest poplars in the Smokies lend some credence to the big tree stories of the past. Hopefully, we'll keep growing them that big in the future! Josh --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
