Need for tree identification

[RememberSchiff]

A 100 years ago...

“A canvass to find black walnut trees suitable for government use to make gun stocks and airplane propellers is to be made next week by local Boy Scouts. The name of the owner, the location of the tree and its size are reported to government workers and will attempt to arrange for the purchase of all trees fit for use.

http://news.pioneergroup.com/manisteenews/2018/08/06/100-years-ago-349/

[qwazse]

My brother would always ask me to note the locations of any black walnut trees I came across.

I made it a point never to tell him.

[shortridge]

3 hours ago, qwazse said:

My brother would always ask me to note the locations of any black walnut trees I came across.

I made it a point never to tell him.

And that’s why the American airplane propeller manufacturing industry died ... I hope you’re happy! 😁

[DuctTape]

In the summer years ago I worked at a camp, and noticed the canopy of a large tree in the woods. It was uniquely "elm" like. It took me a few hours to locate it, and I had the camp director make a call and a rep from the state forestry service stopped by a few weeks later. Samples were collected and it was an American Elm. Spared from the dutch elm disease. Turned out to be in the top 5 largest American Elms in the state.

[walk in the woods]

5 hours ago, qwazse said:

My brother would always ask me to note the locations of any black walnut trees I came across.

I made it a point never to tell him.

Wise choice.  The walnuts make excellent projectiles, especially after they've seasoned just a bit on the ground!

[RememberSchiff]

My 03 Springfield may have a  stock from a black walnut identified for harvest by a scout.  Interesting the links we find  in history.  

[walk in the woods]

This made me laugh:

Quote

“MEN TO THE CANNON; women to the cannin’.

 

[SSScout]

There are still folks around here that will plant and care for a grove of Black Walnut, "for the grandchildren"....

Neighbor planted a grove of Princess Paulownia with the same intention. 

[RememberSchiff]

Found more details:

"The Boy Scouts of America were summoned to locate black walnut for harvesting in 1918, and they succeeded in locating 20 million feet of standing eastern black walnut trees (Juglan nigra). 105,250 trees were harvested in that sweep."

Source link:

https://www.chicoer.com/2018/08/26/river-watcher-the-black-walnut/

[RememberSchiff]

Nov 28, 1918: Scouts — where are the walnuts? The government must have the proper material for its gun stocks and it needs black walnut. Scouts must not fall down on the critical project and need to complete their canvas of the areas. Scouts should have a black walnut hike every Saturday after school.

From Jordan Independent  MN

https://www.swnewsmedia.com/jordan_independent/news/local/looking_back/throwback-thursday-years-ago-turkeys-were-scarce/article_04269629-8b9e-5c68-906c-b4c5c0102edc.html

[DuctTape]

Let's start a list of present day needs for tree identification skill.

1. Find "good firewood".

2. Identify species for lumber.

3. tracking invasive species (e.g. emerald ash borer).

4.

 

[RememberSchiff]

4. Identify species and their parts (leaves/needles, fruit, roots, inner bark) that are edible.  Where does maple syrup come from?  

Edited November 29, 2018 by RememberSchiff

[ianwilkins]

5. Identify trees and parts that are "useful" for bushcraft/backwoods activities. e.g. birch bark, pine for resin or needles, for fire lighting. 

[qwazse]

6. Irritate crew as you and a committee member stop mid trail to discuss if you are looking at a tall beech or mutant hickory. (It was an English Hornbeam.)

[Jameson76]

7. identify best type of tree to use for hammock straps. 

• BONUS QUESTION - If two trees are not close enough, theorize how long it will take to plant and grow a tree to be able to use for second point of hammocking