Timber 1750 - Cockeysville, MD - Exceptional Tree Growth Ring Displays on Waymarking.com

The sign says, "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."

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/16/2023 Searcher28 visited it