Logging History - The Final Chapter

 Old Growth California Redwood

 

During the 1950's and 60's a large amount of clear cut logging was done here in Humboldt County. That meant a lot of Old Growth Stumps and what was considered ‘low grade’ logs in the lumber manufacturing world was left behind. If the logs had any defects; such as curl in the grain or any eyes or burl etc., it was not something they would even ship to the mill. It was considered not structurally sound to be used for building materials and essentially left to rot. We, of course, consider all of those defects as character. 

Later, these clear cut areas were replanted with seedlings so that one day they could come back and harvest the same areas again. Now it is 2013, some 50 or 60 years later, and they are in fact harvesting those areas all over again. This time they are being a bit more selective. The companies are no longer clear cutting, and only harvesting the trees that they truly want to ship to the mill to manufacture into lumber. This of course eliminates soil erosion. And while they are pulling all of the harvested lumber from those areas, they are also pulling out all of the Old Growth Logs that they had cut down previously and left behind. This Old growth is still not considered useful as lumber. People like us here at Redwood Burl Inc. are willing to buy such logs. This is one way we source our Reclaimed Logs.

Acreage that used to belong to the lumber companies is now in private hands and people are now building homes in these areas. During the building process developers need to cut roads, clear landings, etc., and in the process they may have to remove Old Growth Stumps. On occasion these stumps are brought to us for disposal or recycling as opposed to being run through the grinder at the power plant to be used for fuel. These stumps are what we cut to sell as Burl Slabs, Burl Blocks and Fireplace Mantels.

Next week I will talk about some of the different characteristics of Old Growth Redwood. I will post some pictures of the different types of character found, and what causes these ‘defects’ to occur in the first place. I hope to have all of you back again next week. In the mean time, please be sure to check out our website at www.redwoodburl.com.