4. To determine and utilize the proper months or seasons to
girdle or fell different kinds of trees: Bald cypress in the
swamps of the South are "girdled" in order that they may
die, and in a few weeks or months dry out and become light
enough to float. This method has been extensively adopted in
sections where it is the only practicable one by which the
timber can be transported to the sawmills. It is found,
however, that some of these "girdled" trees are especially
attractive to several species of ambrosia beetles (Figs. 22
and 23), round-headed borers (Fig. 24) and timber worms
(Fig. 25), which cause serious injury to the sapwood or
heartwood, while other trees "girdled" at a different time
or season are not injured. This suggested to the writer the
importance of experiments to determine the proper time to
"girdle" trees to avoid losses, and they are now being
conducted on an extensive scale by the United States Forest
Service, in co-operation with prominent cypress operators in
different sections of the cypress-growing region.
Saplings
Saplings, including hickory and other round hoop-poles and similiar
products, are subject to serious injuries and destruction by round-
and flat-headed borers (Fig. 24), and certain species of powder post
borers (Figs. 26 and 27) before the bark and wood are dead or dry, and
also by other powder post borers (Fig. 28) after they are dried and
seasoned. The conditions favoring attack by the former class are those
resulting from leaving the poles in piles or bundles in or near the
forest for a few weeks during the season of insect activity, and by
the latter from leaving them stored in one place for several months.
Stave, Heading and Shingle Bolts
These are attacked by ambrosia beetles (Figs. 22 and 23), and the oak
timber worm (Fig. 25, _a_), which, as has been frequently reported,
cause serious losses. The conditions favoring attack by these insects
are similiar to those mentioned under "Round Timber." The insects may
enter the wood before the bolts are cut from the log or afterward,
especially if the bolts are left in moist, shady places in the woods,
in close piles during the danger period. If cut during the warm
season, the bark should be removed and the bolts converted into the
smallest practicable size and piled in such manner as to facilitate
rapid drying.
Unseasoned Products in the Rough
Freshly sawn hardwood, placed in close piles during warm, damp weather
in July and September, presents especially favorable conditions for
injury by ambrosia beetles (Figs. 22, _a_, and 23, _a_). This is due
to the continued moist condition of such material.
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