Timber 1750

Timber 1750. . The Colonial Forest of Baltimore County 1750 , According to available records Baltimore's forests were composed of large tracks of mature trees, interspersed with grassy openings that the colonists called barrens. , Harvesting the Trees , In 1750 harvesting timber was backbreaking, dangerous work. Hard-muscled axmen limbed and cut trees to length. The log was dragged from the site using a large two-wheeled cart and a team of oxen. , An Axe to Grind , In 1750 the axe to grind was a dull axe. A sharpe axe (the woodsman's friend) cut time as well as wood. , "Driving the Piece" , This phrase described a practice devised by woodsmen to save time and labor. A skilled axman would fell one large tree so that it would take down other trees-previously notched-like a line of dominoes. , The axe used in depleting the forest of Europe was used by Native Americans and colonist until about 1725. , Birth of the American Axe , The colonial axman wanted a better cutting tool and the American axe was born. This design is still in use. , Products of the Timber Harvest , In 1750 the forests of Baltimore County yielded a bounty of food and wood products for the colonists. From the trees came tools, furniture, toys, buildings, and many items brining moments of fun and comfort into what was otherwise a daily struggle to stay fed. , More trees were cut for firewood than for any other use. A typical household could use 30 to 40 cords of firewood each year. This is a pile of wood 4ft. high x 4 ft. wide x 300 ft. long. , From Logs to Lumber , Logs were made into beams and boards needed by colonists to build homes, barns and boards needed by colonists to build homes, barns, and buildings. Depicted here is a small scale, timber harvesting and lumber making operation. , From Round Log to Square Beam , Trees were felled and dragged to an area to be shaped. First, logs were cut to a desired length, and then debarked with a barking spud. Next the logs were moved to a trestle where they were cut into planks. While this was going on, other men were squaring logs into beams. This finished lumber was then used to build houses and barns.