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Abstracts:
O'BRIEN to STEVENSON - PAGE 6 OF 7
UMATILLA2
O’Brien, Howard K. 1909. Umatilla National
Forest inspection report. Unpublished typescript report obtained
from the National Archives, College Park, MD; record group 95. [Place
of publication unknown]: [U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service]. Variable p.
Abstract: After establishment of the forest
reserves and national forests early in the twentieth century,
inspections were supposed to be made at regular intervals. Initially,
inspections were conducted by Forest Inspectors stationed at the
District (Regional) Offices. Later, that responsibility was transferred
to the Forest Supervisors, who were responsible for inspecting
their own Forest (see G. H. Cecil, 1910, “Memorandum regarding
Supervisor’s inspections” for more information). This
national forest inspection report includes the following sections:
grazing (22 p.); boundaries (6 p.); protection and improvements
(29 p.); and organization (18 p.).
BLUEMTN13
Oregonian. 1906. Forest reserve created at last;
President sets aside Blue Mountains for timber purposes. Oregonian.
March 18; Portland, OR.
Abstract: In 1901 residents of Baker County
sent a petition to their congressional representative requesting
that the mountains around Baker City and Sumpter be withdrawn
from the public domain in order to protect the area's water supply.
The following year residents of Malheur and Harney counties submitted
petitions asking that the Strawberry Mountains and the headwaters
of the Malheur, Silvies, and South Fork of the John Day rivers
be withdrawn to protect water, timber, and grazing resources.
The Secretary of the Interior responded in July 1902 by authorizing
the temporary withdrawal of more than 3 million acres of land
in the forested areas of northeastern Oregon.
Federal surveyor Harold Langille later noted that the 1902 withdrawal
was “doubtless the most controversial of all the withdrawals….It
bore upon the economic life and welfare of almost the entire northeastern
quarter of Oregon. Agriculture, stock-raising, mining, lumbering
and all of their adjunctive interests were actually or potentially
concerned.” Langille recalled a meeting in Canyon City with
area stockmen, many of whom were initially against the proposed
reserve. He explained to them that the reserve was not intended
to keep them off the land but rather to prevent destructive exploitation
of forest resources and to reduce conflict over grazing and logging
activities. He noted that “many of the strongest opponents
of the proposed reserve afterward came to me and said that if
the facts were as I had stated them they would welcome the reserve.”
More problematic than local opposition were the land speculators
who claimed land in the proposed reserve with the intention of
trading it for more valuable land elsewhere in the state. This
practice was at the heart of a major land fraud scandal that resulted
in the indictment of dozens of Oregonians, including most of Oregon’s
congressional delegation.
This land fraud scandal delayed the establishment of the Blue
Mountain Forest Reserve, but in March 1906, President Theodore
Roosevelt finally authorized the permanent withdrawal of 2,627,270
acres of land in the Blue Mountains. The reserve was intended
to conserve the area’s water supply for farmers, as well
as to reduce conflict between stockmen and to protect timberlands
and summer rangelands from “destruction and wasteful use,”
as explained in this Oregonian article.
In 1908, the Blue Mountain Forest Reserve was broken up into
several different administrative units, which later evolved into
the Wallowa-Whitman, Malheur, Ochoco, and Umatilla national forests.
UMATILLA8
Parsons, Glenn B. 1948. Timber disposal plan, Heppner
Working Circle. Unpublished typescript report obtained from the
National Archives, College Park, MD; record group 95. Pendleton,
OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Umatilla National
Forest. 34 p.
Abstract: This report includes the following
sections: introduction; management objectives; analysis of national
forest resources; calculation of allowable annual cut; and sale
program. Volume summary tables are provided for the following
blocks: Ditch Creek, Fossil, Lonerock, Potamus, Rock Creek, Service
Creek, Spray, Wall Creek, Willow Creek, and Winlock.
WALLOWA5
Pearson, G. A. 1907. Grazing lands by life zones.
Unpublished typescript report obtained from the National Archives,
College Park, MD; record group 95. [Place of publication unknown]:
[U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Wallowa National
Forest]. 15 p.
Abstract: This report describes grazing resources
and conditions for four life zones as classified by Merriam: the
transition zone, characterized by ponderosa pine; the Canadian
zone, characterized by lodgepole pine; the Hudsonian zone, characterized
by subalpine fir; and the Arctic zone, characterized by an absence
of forest growth. Forest and grassland conditions are described
for each zone, including a discussion of the primary plants found
in the zone and their suitability as livestock forage. This report
provides good ecological insights into vegetational zonation as
found on the Wallowa NF.
WHITMAN10
Pernot, J. F. 1913. The insect situation in 1913
on the Whitman National Forest. Unpublished typescript report obtained
from the National Archives, College Park, MD; record group 95. [Place
of publication unknown]: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Whitman National Forest. 13 p.
Abstract: During July and August of 1913, a
study was made of the insect infestations on the Whitman National
Forest. The main objective of the investigation was to examine
the progress and status of an on-going mountain pine beetle outbreak,
and to determine if further insect control operations were warranted.
This report includes the following sections: introduction; the
infestation of the mountain pine beetle (distribution, occurrence,
condition of the broods), the western pine beetle (Dendroctonus
brevicomis); the Douglas fir beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae);
and the western larch borer (Tetropium velutinum). At the time
this report was written, mountain pine beetle was found wherever
lodgepole pine occurred. The distribution of the beetle followed
so closely the range of lodgepole pine that it could be considered
a lodgepole pine beetle, at least in the Blue Mountains. In 1913,
the infestation on the Whitman NF was centered on the Anthony
Lakes area, the entire headwaters area for the North Powder River,
the upper watersheds of the Grande Ronde River, and the upper
watersheds of the North Fork of the John Day River, especially
in Crawfish Creek, on upper Trail Creek, and on Trout Creek and
in the vicinity of Trout Meadows. The Crane Creek and Crane Flats
areas, which are southern tributaries of the North Fork of the
John Day River, were also heavily infested. On a sample acre near
Anthony Lakes, the stand consisted of lodgepole pine, Engelmann
spruce, and subalpine fir, with lodgepole pine comprising 83%
of the stand. Of the 194 lodgepole pines per acre in the 6 to
13 inch diameter class, 47% had been killed in the last 3 years,
35% were infested in August of 1913 with the 1912-1913 brood of
beetles, and 18% were healthy and not attacked. The occurrence
of mountain pine beetle in whitebark pine was irregular and very
scattered. Trees along the summit of the North Fork of the John
Day – Powder River divide were infested, as were some on
the summit of Bald Mountain. In 1913, there was little or no mountain
pine beetle infestation in yellow (ponderosa) pine, with limited
tree killing noticed in that species in the North Fork of the
John Day River drainage and in the Crane Creek area. Western pine
beetle was noted throughout the yellow pine zone on the Forest,
causing regular and steady losses each year. It was estimated
that at least one yellow pine was killed by western pine beetle
in mature or decadent stands each year. Many of the attacked trees
had been weakened by another factor first, such as lightning,
fire, drought, or decay. Douglas-fir beetle was active in mixed-conifer
stands, especially in the area near White Pine and Austin, Oregon.
The western larch borer was considered to be partly responsible
for the death of a considerable percentage of the mature western
larch in the Blue and Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon.
It was noted that dwarf-mistletoe infections were particularly
severe in mature larches, and that the borer was found most abundantly
in the mistletoe-weakened trees. A map also accompanied this report
(also authored by Pernot in 1913); see the historical documents
database for further information.
MALHEUR2
Porter, Oliver M. 1915? The fire problem on the
Malheur National Forest. Annual Technical Report. [Place of publication
unknown]: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 55 p.
Abstract: The Malheur NF, located in the heart
of the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon, comprised a gross
area of 1,262,840 acres when this report was written. It contained
an open but valuable timber stand that was estimated at six and
one-half billion board feet of western yellow pine, Douglas-fir,
western larch, and several minor species. The timber was conservatively
estimated to be worth thirteen million dollars. Due to its openness,
nearly every acre of the Forest provided forage for domestic livestock
– 24,300 cattle and horses, and 135,500 sheep, grazed on
it each year. Settlers and ranchers of the John Day and Harney
valleys depended on the timber and forage resources of the Forest
for their livelihoods. As a result of its value for timber production
and livestock grazing, fire protection was important on the Malheur
NF. This report describes the methods and policies pertaining
to fire protection on the Forest. It includes the following sections:
introduction; hazard; fire season; character of fires (types,
causes, speed of burning); cooperation (advantages, results, suggested
system of cooperation); methods of prevention (enforcement of
fire laws, signs); method of detection (present system, suggested
system); methods of suppression (tools, trenching and fire lines,
back firing); and conclusion. In the five years previous to the
preparation of this report, an average of 16.4 fires had occurred
per year on the Forest. The author noted that the incidence of
fires had been slowly increasing since establishment of the national
forests, but was unsure of the reasons for the increase. There
were three main types of fire on the Malheur: timber fires, brush
fires, and sagebrush fires. Primary causes of fires for the previous
five-year period included: lightning (33%), brush burning (1%),
campers (28%), saw mills (1%), miscellaneous (10%), and unknown
(27%). The unknown category included carelessness in the use of
matches and tobacco, and any malicious fires. A two-page table
summarizes information from all of the annual fires reports for
the period of 1911 to 1915, inclusive. In the section discussing
prevention, the author poses several ideas for handbills and other
materials that could be provided to school children so that they
could bring them home to their parents. At the time this report
was written, the Forest had one operating fire lookout on Strawberry
Mountain. The author was not in favor of the lookout system because
so few existed on the Forest; he believed that systematic patrols
during the fire season was a more effective detection method.
SAMPSON
Sampson, Arthur W. 1919. Effect of grazing upon
aspen reproduction. Bulletin No. 741. Washington, DC: U.S. Department
of Agriculture. 29 p.
Abstract: This bulletin reports the results
of a study in commercial aspen forests of central Utah (Manti
NF). Information was collected over a five-year period, 1912-1916.
The effect of sheep and cattle grazing on aspen regeneration was
examined in recent clearcuts. Varying grazing intensities were
used, so that the differences between light and heavy grazing
would be apparent. On sheep range, it was necessary to exclude
grazing for 3 years after harvest to obtain satisfactory reproduction.
No modification of cattle grazing was necessary in aspen clearcuts,
as long as the range was not overstocked.
SARGENT
Sargent, Charles S. 1884. Report on the forests
of North America (exclusive of Mexico). Unnumbered Report for the
Tenth Census of the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Department
of Interior, Census Office. Variable p.
Abstract: This report had 3 parts, as follows:
part 1, the forest trees of North America, exclusive of Mexico;
part 2, the woods of the United States; and part 3, the forests
of the United States in their economic aspects. Not all of this
report was copied due to its length. The following sections were
copied: description of the forests of North America (pages 3-16
from part 1), and the description of the “western division”
from part 3 (564-580, not counting maps which did not have page
numbers). The western division narratives describe forest conditions
on a state-by-state basis. For many states, forests are also described
by county or for groups of counties. Each state narrative is accompanied
by a map showing forest distribution, and a classification of
forests based on density. Density mapping was based on volume
(cords) per acre. Unfortunately, the maps are very large scale
and were in color, so did not photocopy very well.
WENAHA6
Schmitz, J. M. 1906. Report on an examination of
the proposed addition to Wenaha Forest Reserve, Oregon. Unpublished
typescript report obtained from the National Archives, College Park,
MD; record group 95. [Place of publication unknown]: [U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Forest Service]. 9 p.
Abstract: This short report describes conditions
in a proposed addition to the Wenaha Forest Reserve in Umatilla
County, Oregon. The examined area comprised about 70,000 acres.
The report includes the following sections: topography; climate
and precipitation; the forest; industries; settlement; roads and
trails; lumbering; grazing; fires; sentiment; conclusion; administration;
and rangers camps. Schmitz provides some interesting insights,
as demonstrated with these quotes: “Very little damage has
been done by fire. There are a few small burnt tracts but they
are so scattering and of small area that they are hardly worth
considering. There is very little cultivated land. The country
is too rough for cultivation. A few small patches are being cultivated
in the canyons.” “Very little lumbering has been done
on the proposed addition. About 500,000 feet B.M. has been cut
on the east fork of Meacham Creek. It was only culled over and
no harm was done to the forest cover. There will be little or
no lumbering for several years. The timber is too scattering to
make it profitable. Some cordwood may be cut in the southwestern
part.”
SCHMITZ
1962
Schmitz, J. M. 1962. The early days of the Wenaha
Forest Reserve. Timber-Lines. 16( June): 90-94.
Abstract: This account begins with Schmitz arriving
in Walla Walla, Washington on August 8, 1905. He was the first
Supervisor of the Wenaha National Forest. His first order of business
was to straighten out the grazing situation on the Forest, since
it was being severely overgrazed. He describes taking compass
measurements showing that the Forest map was incorrect, requiring
that he correct the location of Table Rock and other important
landmarks by as much as 2 miles. Schmitz describes a major meeting
of stockmen in Walla Walla during December of 1905, when hundreds
of cattle and sheep grazers formed a committee to divide up the
grazing ranges into allotments and apportion them between cattle
and sheep. He also describes his first instance of timber trespass,
when 2 men from Dayton came to the office and admitted they had
cut some wood on the national forest. Schmitz made a sale to the
men, but was criticized by the Regional Office for not handling
it as a trespass (law enforcement action). He also describes a
1000-acre wildfire in 1910 that burned in the Eden country. It
was finally controlled when backed into a bluff near the Grande
Ronde River. This article was based on notes taken by Mr. Schmitz's
daughter during reminiscences by her father around 1943.
WHITMAN3
Smith, Kan; Weitknecht, Robert H. 1915. Windfall
damage on cut-over areas, Whitman National Forest. Unpublished typescript
report obtained from the National Archives, College Park, MD; record
group 95. [Place of publication unknown]: [U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service]. 85 p.
Abstract: This comprehensive report describes
a study to determine the impacts of windfall associated with cut-over
areas on the Whitman National Forest. As of 1915, about 6,000
acres of yellow pine forest had been cut over using the selection
silvicultural system; all of the sales had been sold since 1910.
The marking on selection sales emphasized leaving about 20% of
the thriftiest, soundest, and youngest treees distributed evenly
across the sale area. On May 26, 1913, a windstorm blew down 792
yellow pines on 880 acres of cut-overs on the W. H. Eccles sale
area. Then, on September 18, 1914, another severe storm blew over
808 yellow pines on the 1,624 acres that had been cut-over up
to that time. This meant that in aggregate, almost 18% of the
reserve stand had been blown over in just two years. Following
those windthrow episodes, this study was initiated in an attempt
to correlate windfall with site factors (topography, aspect, etc.)
or tree characteristics (tree height, crown size, crown density,
etc.). The report includes the following sections: introduction;
objectives of the investigation; description of study areas (Eccles
area, PW-1 plot, Baker white pine area); methods of gathering
data; tabulations and numerical results; height curves; influence
of crown class on windfall; influence of trunk character on windfall
risk; relation of windfalls to soil, rock and root systems; effects
of distribution on windfalls; influence of topography on windthrow;
meteorology; general topography; volumes of windthrown timber;
windfall in areas other than those studied; other forests; reproduction;
maps; conclusions; recommendations; and photographs. The report
ends with 9 pages of photographs (10 photographs). An extremely
detailed, large-format map (1-inch equals 50 feet) of the PW-1
plot on the W. H. Eccles sale area is also included. The map shows
the location of every stump on the surveyed area, along with all
live or windthrown trees. For the windthrown trees, their direction
of fall is shown with an arrow. A 4-page memorandum from the District
(Regional) Forester to the Forest Supervisors in District 6 is
also included. The memo, signed by Assistant District Forester
Ames, summarizes important results of this study and states that
marking guides will not be changed as a result of this study because
the “information was collected in a single locality, and
in other timber sales in yellow pine throughout the District the
loss by windfall has not been excessive.” According to the
Ames memo, a 16-inch to the mile topographic map of the study
areas was also prepared, but a copy of that map was not found
at the National Archives. A 2-page memo from a Forest Inspector
(name unknown) is also included (dated July 31, 1917); it describes
the inspector’s visit to the Whitman NF in June of 1917,
along with Assistant District Forester Ames, and their discussions
with the local force regarding their use of the windfall report
and its effect on their marking. Ames and the inspector felt that
concern for windfall was being over-emphasized on the Forest,
and that windfall risk not be given so much weight during timber
sale marking.
BLUEMTN7
Smith, R. E. 1907. Mistletoe (Razoumofskya campglopoda)
in the Blue Mountains (E) National Forest. Unpublished typescript
report obtained from the National Archives, College Park, MD; record
group 95. [Place of publication unknown]: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service. 2 p.
Abstract: This very short report was actually
an excerpt from a letter dated November 25, 1907 from R. E. Smith
to Henry Ireland, Forest Supervisor of the Blue Mountains (E)
National Forest. The report is shown under three topic headings:
“Silvics,” “Western Yellow Pine” and “Dangers
and Diseases.” It describes a mistletoe that grows on the
branches of yellow pine and often on the bole of pine seedlings
and saplings and seems to be most common in about Range 33 East
(no townships given). It was also noticed in Ranges 27 and 28
East. Wherever it grows on trees, the infected part becomes enlarged
and in the case of branches on large trees, the tendency is to
form a cluster of small branches, gnarled and drooping (evidently
a reference to mistletoe brooms). Large, badly-infected trees
seem to become stunted and ripen (mature) at from 12 to 24 inches
in diameter (breast high) and finally die. The author could find
no other cause for their death, yet he was unable to find a sapling
that had been killed by the mistletoe. A photo is mentioned, showing
a specimen, that was taken on the Susanville Ranger Station. The
mistletoe seeds are dispersed around the last part of September,
when they are forcibly ejected from the seed pod. Seeds are coated
with a semi-fluid substance that causes them to stick to whatever
they touch. Smith concludes by stating that there is magnificent
pine reproduction here and it is badly infected with the mistletoe,
and that quite a percent of large timber is badly infected if
not altogether killed by it.
WHITMAN9
Smith, R. E. 1910. Final report of insect control,
for fall of 1910, ending November 19, 1910. Unpublished typescript
report obtained from the National Archives, College Park, MD; record
group 95. [Place of publication unknown]: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Whitman National Forest. 14 p.
Abstract: This item actually consists of three
related documents: a “report of insect control for week
ending October 29, 1910” (one page), a “report of
insect control, for week ending November 5, 1910” (3 pages),
and a document with the same title as was used for this entry
(10 pages). The main document (the final report) is labeled as
being from Camp Fidelity, which was the main field camp used during
the control project. The camp was named after Fidelity Gulch,
a tributary of Wind Creek which rises near the summit of the Elkhorn
Mountains at about 7,000 feet. The control project occurred in
the Wind Creek drainage. The report mentions that the weather
cleared after the previous weekly report (November 5th), and the
work force was quickly increased to four crews in order to burn
as many of the cut trees as was possible before being snowed out
completely. Piles with only logs burned fairly well, but piles
with slash and logs mixed and those comprised mostly of slash
were very difficult to burn, especially after they received a
four-inch snowfall and some rain. However, since burning conditions
were problematic in spring, and since their field work was quite
heavy then, they decided to continue the fall burning even though
it became expensive due to the adverse burning conditions. He
mentions that a large camp can be advantageous, but that locating
a camp further than two miles from an infestation should be avoided
because walking a large crew any great distance becomes expensive.
The plan that was used for this control project was for the officer
in charge to cruise and mark the timber to be cut, and then direct
or take the crews to the marked timber; the crews, which consisted
of three men, would then cut, pile and burn the marked infested
timber. Usually the foreman and one other man fells a tree, at
which time the third man begins barking the area of the tree below
the point at which they will be cut. This third man, known as
the trimmer, also trims up the tops of fallen trees. After falling
a group of trees, the foreman measures the infested length of
each tree and records that and other data in a book – species,
DBH, infested length, total length (height), and other notes.
The foreman also recorded the DBH and infested length figures
on the stump (this was done at the request of agents of the Bureau
of Entomology, who would inspect the area later). While the foreman
completed the record keeping and measurements, the other two crew
members were bucking up the trees into logs and then igniting
the slash and logs. At the close of each day, the foreman transferred
data to the officer in charge, data which was eventually summarized
to form the basis of weekly reports for the project. The Bureau’s
agent, Mr. Edmonston, remained at the camp throughout the project
and assisted in marking timber and training new men as they reported
for work. The Bureau’s expert, Mr. H. E. Burke, visited
Camp Fidelity during the last week of its operation and expressed
his approval of the work and plans. This project found the mountain
pine beetle to be quite healthy and vigorous – egg galleries
were long (8 to 17 inches) and the larvae large and well developed.
Very little evidence of disease or natural predators was noted.
In the lodgepole pines, several species of Tomicus were found,
often working the tops of the trees above the mountain pine beetles.
In many cases, it was difficult to pick out the infested by observing
pitch tubes, since tubes were not always present in aggressively-attacked
trees and because of dryer than normal conditions in 1910. Bluing
was noticed immediately after the trees were attacked, but only
in association with mountain pine beetle; bluing did not accompany
western pine beetle attacks. Bluing seemed to dry out the timber
very quickly, which made the trees easier to burn. The Wind Creek
watershed contains about 2,300 acres, of which 1,300 acres lies
on one side of the creek and 1,000 acres on the other. In the
side with 1,300 acres, infestation was found on about 300 acres,
all of which was treated. In conjunction with 40 acres treated
on the other side of the drainage, it was believed by Agent Edmonston
that the entire 1,300 acre portion should be considered free from
infestation. Since the city of Sumpter obtains its water supply
from that drainage, the grounds were thoroughly cleaned up and
all refuse either burned or buried after breaking camp. The main
report ends with a 1-page table summarizing accomplishments for
the fall of 1910 (statistics on number of trees cut by species;
diameters, heights, and infested length summaries by species;
costs; etc.).
WHITMAN8
Smith, R. E. Kan. 1912. Report of the present condition
of insect infestation on the Whitman National Forest, Oregon. Unpublished
typescript report obtained from the National Archives, College Park,
MD; record group 95. [Place of publication unknown]: U.S. Department
of Agriculture, Forest Service, Whitman National Forest. 13 p.
Abstract: The objective of this report was
to provide a general idea of the effect of the 1911 insect control
work completed on the Whitman National Forest, the present status
of the infestation, and the increase or decrease of their natural
enemies. Generally speaking, the infestation in yellow (ponderosa)
pine on the treated areas was as extensive as it was at the beginning
of the control operations. Since the treated areas were often
bordered by untreated areas that could have contained insect broods,
it was difficult to say whether the treatments were uneffective,
or if the treated areas were quickly re-infested by insects from
the untreated stands. It was commonly noted that new infestations
came from trees located within 150 to 200 yards; often, they originated
from adjoining trees which from outward signs had been infested
in 1911. This indicates that at least some of the control work
was carelessly done, since infested trees were missed by the control
crews. While the yellow pines of all ages were “suffering”
heavily, the lodgepole pine was much more numerously attacked
– practically all of the lodgepole pine above six inches
DBH was infested or killed. Since the lodgepole pine had been
basically destroyed by the beetles, the author speculated that
had control work been effective and reasonably complete, it would
have been possible to reduce insect populations to the point where
natural enemies could have kept them in check. The author then
notes that beetle infestations in yellow pine forests of the Grande
Ronde drainage were fully as bad, in 1912, as outbreaks had been
in the Powder Valley in 1909 and 1910. Smith also describes a
healthy, young, vigorous, pine stand, about 20-30 years old, 10-20
feet tall, and averaging 20,000-30,000 stems per acre, where fully
25% of the trees were dead or dying from insect infestation, almost
all of which he attributes to mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus
monticolae). Smith presents cruise data for two sections in the
Deer Creek watershed, where 32.5% of the trees were infested in
1912, and 27.5% of the trees had been cut in the 1911 control
project. Smith provides the following observations regarding previous
insect depradations: extensive infestations similar in extent
and intensity to the present one have occurred in the lodgepole
pine type; many extensive areas of long-dead lodgepole pine were
actually due to pine beetle outbreaks, rather than fire as had
been suspected; when beetle-killed lodgepole burns, the result
can be a severe conflagration, as was demonstrated in the Ladd
Creek fire of 1910 – fire severity in those instances was
greater than anything ever observed in living forests lacking
a high quantity of dead timber; historical infestations have been
confined to the lodgepole pine type, seldom affecting yellow pine
except when it occurs in mixed stands; evidence of very heavy
mountain pine beetle attacks in pure yellow pine forests were
lacking in Smith’s examinations; outbreaks arose quickly,
subsided rather quickly, and then remained at low levels until
another extensive infestation took place. Smith was unsure about
what caused their collapse, although he noted that climatic conditions
did not seem to have an effect. He also speculates that the small
size of lodgepole pine in the Blue Mountains, as compared to Montana
and the Rocky Mountains, may be due to the fact that bark beetles
tend to attack it as soon as the trees reach six inches in diameter.
The author describes conditions in dead lodgepole pine stands
as follows: “to ride through the lodgepole forests in the
vicinity of Porcupine Ranger Station, T. 5 S., R. 37 E., W. M.,
that were infested in 1909-10 gives one the impression of an eastern
hardwood forest in the dead of winter. The lodgepole all stands
dead and bare, with here and there an occasional green tree of
other species, such as larch, fir, etc. The earliest-attacked
lodgepole is beginning to fall and it is only a matter of a short
time when the great mass of it will fall.” He notes that
up to 50% of current year (1912) beetle broods were destroyed
by natural enemies, presumably parasites and predators. Predatory
and beneficial beetles and other insects were much more numerous
than was observed in 1910. He had thought that ants might prey
upon the adult beetles, but observations did not confirm that
and the beetles’ hard shell coverings were suspected of
protecting them from ant bites. He noted that western pine beetle
levels were normal, as were those of Dendroctonus valens, which
attacked the base of infested trees and those that had been windthrown.
Among others in a list of deductions, Smith concluded that the
present infestation had reached its zenith and was beginning to
decline, and that the natural enemies of mountain pine beetle
had increased significantly. A map may have accompanied this report
(entitled “Insect control project, northeastern Oregon,
1911” by unknown author); see the historical documents database
for further information.
SPARHAWK1918
Sparhawk, W.N. 1918. Effect of grazing upon western yellow pine
reproduction in central Idaho. Bulletin No. 738. Washington, DC:
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 31 p.
Abstract: This bulletin describes the results
of a study completed in 3 sheep grazing allotments on the Deadwood,
Middle Fork Payette, and South Fork Payette rivers. Information
was collected from the Payette NF allotments between 1912 and
1914. Tree injuries and damages are described for differing height
classes, locations on the tree (bole, branches, etc.), and by
cause (trampling, browsing, etc.). The extent and severity of
sheep damage is compared to injuries from other causes. Recommendations
about management of grazing to minimize tree damage are provided.
SQUAWCREEK
Spence, L. E.; White, W. T. 1935. Erosion range survey report, Squaw
Creek watershed, Umatilla Indian Reservation, Umatilla County, Oregon.
Unnumbered Report. Pullman, WA: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Soil Conservation Service. 18 p.
Abstract: This report describes results from
an erosion control survey conducted by the Soil Conservation Service
during a 3-month period in fall of 1935. The survey area included
the Squaw Creek drainage in the Umatilla River watershed, Umatilla
Indian Reservation, Umatilla County, Oregon. Maps and vegetation
type quadrat data are included as exhibits, and a tentative grazing
management plan is attached as an appendix. This report includes
the following sections: brief of findings and recommendations;
Gibbon Project tabulated acreage by type and slope class; erosion
range survey report for Gibbon Project; Gibbon Project types;
and grazing and soil conservation plan for soil conservation in
the Indian reservation portion of the Squaw Creek, Oregon, watershed.
WHITMAN7
Starker, T. J. 1915. Recommendations for cutting
inferior species on the Whitman National Forest, Oregon. Annual
silvical report obtained from the National Archives, College Park,
MD; record group 95. Sumpter, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Whitman National Forest. 10 p.
Abstract: As the national forests in the Blue
Mountains began to be managed, there quickly arose a concern about
how to deal with the “inferior” species, i.e., anything
that wasn’t yellow (ponderosa) pine. This document is the
annual silvical report for the Whitman NF. It describes some options
for dealing with inferior species on that Forest. Discussion and
recommendations are provided for the two main situations in which
inferior species were found: as a North Slope type comprised mostly
of western larch and firs, and in the yellow pine areas where
they occurred singly or in scattered groups. On north-slope sites,
the timber sales of that era resulted in all of the yellow pine
being removed, along with most of the Douglas-fir and larch. That
approach resulted in lodgepole pine and grand/white fir being
left. The report mentions a visit by Raphael Zon, an early ecologist
with the Forest Service. Mr. Zon recommended that the Forest not
touch the north slopes since they were a losing proposition commercially
(the loggers claimed that they lost $3 to $4 for every thousand
feet of inferior species), the post-logging stand had doubtful
character and value (silviculturally), and because the north slopes
had a tremendous influence on stream flow. On the areas where
inferior species are intermixed with yellow pine, the author felt
that they should be cut very heavily. By removing the inferior
species, it would be possible for those areas to regenerate to
the commercially valuable yellow pine. It was also felt that larch
and fir were “out of their place” on the dryer sites
supporting a high percentage of yellow pine, so their removal
was desirable from a silvicultural standpoint as well. It was
estimated, using experience from the W. H. Eccles and Baker White
Pine Lumber Company timber sale areas, that inferior species comprised
15% of the yellow pine areas. Starker felt that no less than one
third of the inferior species should be removed in a timber sale,
not just for the reasons mentioned above but because they were
more prone to windthrow than yellow pine. Starker also recommended
that creek bottom sites be deferred from logging until the inferior
species problem was solved, since those areas also contained a
very high proportion of inferior species. Starker provides a table
showing the percentage of volume removed on seven Whitman sales
ranging from 1910 to 1913; the percentage of inferior species
for those sales ranged from a low of 11.4% to a high of 31.9%,
showing that inferior species were in fact being removed. The
report states that the yellow pine in the central Blue Mountains
was considered the best that was grown anywhere, and was advertised
in the lumber trade as “Sumpter Valley Soft White Pine.”
It was in high demand for making patterns for iron work and would
sometimes sell for $50 per thousand when purchased for that purpose.
The author states that larch had very low value due to several
defects and widespread infections of dwarf mistletoe. White fir
was also classed as worthless due to frequent stem rot caused
by Indian paint fungus. In summary, Starker recommended that the
north-slope types be left alone for the time being, and that inferior
species should supply at least 10% of the volume on all yellow
pine sales. This report includes some interesting insights, as
illustrated with this quote: “Under the present system of
conducting our timber sales we are cutting all the yellow pine
and most of the Douglas fir and larch on the north slopes. This
leaves a majority of lodgepole pine and white fir, which soon
becomes so dense that no other species can get a foothold and
the resulting stand will be a very inferior jungle.”
WHITMAN5
Starker, T. J. 1916. Defectiveness of western yellow
pine, Whitman National Forest, Oregon. Annual silvical report obtained
from the National Archives, College Park, MD; record group 95. Sumpter,
OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Whitman National
Forest. 7 p.
Abstract: The reason for this study was to
determine the accuracy of past timber defect deductions made during
reconnaissance (inventory) examinations, and to form a basis for
future defect calculations in western yellow pine forests in the
Blue Mountains. Three different areas were used in this study:
two on the W. H. Eccles sale and one on the areas sold to the
Hilgard Lumber Company. On a portion of the first tract, the soil
was shallow with much loose rock and the author believed that
the poor site conditions had a direct influence on the soundness
of the timber growing there. That same situation was noticed on
several parts of the Baker White Pine Lumber Company timber sale
area, where timber would be of good size and possessed fairly
clear boles, but would be very rotten. Very little breakage was
noticed on the first tract, which was not unexpected since the
timber was short, of small size, and the stand was open. Defect
factors recorded on the first tract included heart rot, stump
rot, fire scar, crook, split and broken ends, pitch, and check
and shake. The percentages of total defect by species for the
first tract were 14.7% for yellow pine, 10.2% for western larch,
5.7% for Douglas-fir, and 2% for lodgepole pine. The second tract
included a fairly heavy stand from which 22.35 thousand board
feet per acre were harvested; total defect for all species combined
averaged only 4.7%. The third tract had good-quality yellow pine
and a medium to heavy stand of inferior species. The percentages
of total defect by species for the third tract were 5.4% for yellow
pine, 2.7% for western larch, and 3.4% for Douglas-fir. The author
concluded that defect estimation was largely a matter of judgment
coupled with an ability to observe certain indicators of unsoundness
in a tree, such as fungus fruiting bodies, rotten limbs, spike
tops, etc. Based on this study, the author believed that seldom
will a mature forest of any extent in the Blue Mountains have
less than 4% defect for yellow pine, nor more than 15%. One interesting
result of this study was the low defect percentages for Douglas-fir
and western larch; reconnaissance parties had commonly assumed
a defect percentage of up to 12% for those species.
WHITMAN6
Starker, T. J. 1916. Instructions for marking timber
in the western yellow pine region, Pacific Northwest District. Annual
technical report obtained from the National Archives, College Park,
MD; record group 95. Sumpter, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Whitman National Forest. 11 p.
Abstract: East of the Cascade Mountains in
Oregon and Washington, the commercial forests consist largely
of yellow pine, either in pure stands or in mixed stands with
Douglas-fir, white fir, western larch, and lodgepole pine. Since
these forests were primarily uneven-aged, they should be managed
by the selection system (or a modification of it). [However, Starker
states later in this paper that yellow pine often occurs as even-aged
groups, although the forest as a whole could be classified as
uneven-aged.] From the data available, it was recommended that
yellow-pine and mixed forests be managed using a cutting cycle
of 60 years and a rotation period of 180 years. This document,
which provides general marking rules for use with yellow pine
forests, consists of the following sections: general marking rules;
forest floor; most desirable species; health; form of reserved
trees; practically pure stands of yellow pine; mixed stands with
considerable yellow pine; stands with little or no yellow pine;
and conclusion. The aim of the instructions was to reserve as
a basis for the next crop an evenly distributed stand of thrifty
saplings, poles, and young standards, each of which is capable
of living and growing until the next cutting. Since the stands
had much variability, the first entry was fundamentally an improvement
cut, with the objective being to leave the stand in the best possible
condition for the next cutting. Starker had four criteria as to
whether the forest was left in good condition: 1) will a dense
cover of reproduction form quickly; 2) does the resulting forest
contain as large a percentage as possible of the desirable species;
3) are the reserve trees in a good healthy condition; and 4) do
the reserve trees possess good, straight trunks and thrifty, pointed
crowns? Tree species desirability was ranked in this order: western
yellow pine, Douglas-fir, western larch, lodgepole pine, and white
fir. Starker recommended that small areas (one-half acre in size)
be marked as a sample or example plot before selling the entire
sale. And finally, the author recognized that timber marking involved
a high degree of flexibility: “do not think that the marking
must be done according to any iron-clad rules, nor that any set
method must be followed. Use judgment, adapt the methods to suit
conditions, but do not bankrupt the logger or ruin the forest.”
He also noted that “white fir in this region is very poor
and should be considered a weed. If merchantable, heavy marking
should be the rule, especially on the yellow pine areas. Trees
of this species over 16 inches D.B.H. are seldom sound because
of the heavy attacks of Indian paint fungus which gain access
to the tree through frost cracks and fire scars.” This document
also contains two black-and-white photographs, one showing cut-over
conditions on the W. H. Eccles timber sale area, and the other
a fast-growing ponderosa pine reserve tree that was left during
logging. A short, one-page memorandum from the Assistant District
(Regional) Forester (F. E. Ames) is also included with this paper.
WALLOWA4
Steffen, E. H. 1917. Annual technical report: the
forage acre. Unpublished typescript report obtained from the National
Archives, College Park, MD; record group 95. [Place of publication
unknown]: [U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Wallowa
National Forest]. 10 p.
Abstract: This report specifies how forage
acreages should be calculated during grazing reconnaissances of
the Wallowa National Forest. A forage acre is defined as “an
acre having complete ground cover (10/10 density) of palatable
vegetation possible of use.” The forage acre was intended
to be an arbitrary measure to standardize the results obtained
from grazing reconnaissances, thereby allowing the results obtained
from different areas to be compared. A “forage acre factor”
was calculated by multiplying the proportion of area covered by
vegetation (70%), times the density of that vegetation (80%),
times the palatability of the vegetation (80%). In the example
above, the forage acre factor would be .448 (.7 x .8 x .8), which
when multiplied by the acreage of the area being considered (80
acres), would yield a forage acre value (36 forage acres in this
example).
WALLOWA14
Stevenson, G. E. 1936. Report on appraisal of damages;
Bowman-Hicks Lumber Company. Unpublished Typescript Memorandum.
[Place of publication unknown]: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service. 18 p.
Abstract: This accession consists of a report
and a large-format color map that was copied in sections (8½”
x 11”) due to the difficulty in copying over-size color
materials at the National Archives. The Bowman-Hicks Lumber Company
was awarded a large timber sale on June 4, 1924 that was located
in the Wallowa National Forest in the general vicinity of Powwatka
Ridge. The contract was extended on April 11, 1934. Under a Congressional
Act of April 17, 1935, the Company made application for cancellation
of its timber-sale agreement. This report describes the damages
to the government resulting from cancellation of the contract.
It includes the following sections: history of the sale; estimate
of timber to be cut; summary; timber remaining uncut; contract
cutting requirements; description of timber to be cut; accessibility
of remaining timber; appraisal; conclusions of analysis; and indicated
damages. When developing the sale area, the Company extended its
main tap-line railroad north along the main Powwatka Ridge, approximately
through the center of the sale area. Short spur lines were run
off from the mainline and cutting was confined mostly to the most
accessible timber. A large part of the uncut portion of the sale
was partially accessed by some of the abandoned railroad grades,
which could easily and cheaply be converted into truck roads.
There was also an unimproved County road traversing Powwatka Ridge
through the sale area and eventually leading directly into the
town of Wallowa, where a Bowman-Hicks Lumber Company sawmill and
a railroad shipping point were located. It was quite evident that
when the remainder of the timber was cut and logged, it would
have to be done with trucks and perhaps tractors. The great majority
of the uncut timber was located in Township 3 North, Range 43
East. After computing its value and deducting for logging and
hauling costs, the total increase in cost was $1,486.08 for 8,256
MBF of uncut ponderosa pine timber. After applying a $1200 credit
for 8 miles of abandoned railroad grade that would be suitable
for conversion into truck roads, and accounting for the Company’s
existing credit balance with the Forest Service, the final damages
were assessed at $286.08.
UMATILLA13
Stevenson, George E. 1937. Sale prospectus and
timber appraisal report; Camas Creek Unit. Unpublished typescript
report obtained from the National Archives, College Park, MD; record
group 95. [Place of publication unknown]: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest. 23 p.
Abstract: This item consists of a timber sale
prospectus and a timber appraisal report for the Camas Creek unit,
a timber sale containing 221,308,000 board feet of national forest
timber located on the Umatilla National Forest. The sale area
comprised an area of about 69,645 acres in townships 3, 4, 5,
and 6 south, ranges 32, 33, 33½, and 34 east of the Willamette
Meridian. It occurred in the watersheds of Camas and Meadow Creeks,
with the western boundary of the unit being about 10 miles east
of Ukiah, Oregon. Timber on the unit consisted of a mixed stand
of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, western larch, lodgepole pine
and other species. All of the advertised volume was ponderosa
pine; cutting of the other species was optional with the purchaser.
The prospectus was dated August 7, 1937; the contract would require
the volume to be removed by November 30, 1955. Slash disposal
for the sale was to consist of piling and burning along permanent
roads, around camps, and in other areas of high hazard and on
fire lines. The appraisal report indicates that the timber sale
and prospectus were the result of an application by the Mt. Emily
Lumber Company of La Grande, Oregon (dated March 4, 1937) that
requested “the remaining National Forest saw timber within
the Camas Creek Block of the Umatilla National Forest.”
As a result of their request, a meeting was held in Burns, Oregon
on June 3rd which was attended by a representative from the Washington
Office of the Forest Service (E. E. Carter), the Regional Forester
of Region 6 (C. J. Buck), two other representatives from the Regional
Office, and several representatives of the Mt. Emily Lumber Company.
The meeting resulted in the preparation and advertising of a prospectus
for a new timber sale. Calculations in the timber appraisal report
show that the sustained yield for the Camas Creek Block was 13,780,000
board feet per year, and that the timber sale represented an “over-cut”
of 71,100,000 for a five-year period. The Mt. Emily Lumber Company
was formed principally by the Stange and Kinzel families, successful
lumber operators from Wisconsin. They made heavy investments in
the Grande Ronde Working Circle in 1912 and 1913. In 1925, they
constructed a modern, 3-band sawmill and drying facility, along
with a complete remanufacturing and fininshing plant, at La Grande,
Oregon. The rated capacity of their sawmill and associated operations
was 50 million board feet per year. At the time of the appraisal
report, the Mt. Emily Lumber Company had been operating in the
Working Circle for 8½ years, with about half of the volume
coming off their own lands and the remainder from national forest
lands located east of this proposed sale. They used horse teams
to skid and bunch logs to truck roads except for uphill skids,
which were completed using tractors. The truck roads were used
to transport logs to the company’s mainline logging railroad,
which was then used to transport logs to Union Pacific’s
line at Hilgard for eventual delivery to the sawmill in La Grande.
This accession also includes a color map showing the Camas Creek
area, but it is unknown if it applies to this specific timber
sale or to previous operations in the area. [Note that Matz’s
timber survey results from 1932 were used to prepare this timber
sale offering; see “Descriptive report, Camas Creek timber
survey project, Umatilla National Forest” in the history
archives for more information. Also, it is interesting that when
the sale was finally advertised in the fall of 1937, the highest
bidder was not the Mt. Emily Lumber Company but the Milton Box
Company of Milton, Oregon, who outbid their competitor by $0.16
per thousand board feet. That situation resulted in a storm of
protest and an extremely controversial situation; see USDA Forest
Service, “Miscellaneous memoranda regarding a timber sale
award appeal, Camas Creek unit” for more information.]
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