Hordwood Industry Potentiql Seen By Coliforniq Fore st R es eo rc h er

A California hardwood industry could provide payrolls in some forest counties that have most need of new economic resources, says William A. Dost, forest products specialist at the University of California.

In a step toward new uses for the six billion board feet of standing hardwood trees, the University's Forest Products Lab has been checking standard U. S. Forest Service log grades to the California species. It appears that the established grading system, designed for eastern hardwoods, will accurately indicate whether a California hardwood log can be milled profitably, Dost said.

The hardwood grading project, supported by a California Division of Forestry grant, is being headed by Dr. Fred E. Dickinson, director of the UC Forest Products Laboratory.

The hardwood grading tests involved wide cooperation, Dost explained. First, they called for logs to grade, then a mill to saw the logs to see how valid the grading had been. In the current series, it was arranged with the Hoopa Indian Reservation to supply the timber: 42 logs of chinkapin, ST oI tanoak, and 28 of madrone. The Van Vleet Logging Company logged the trees, which the forest products researchers graded. The logs were then cut into lumber by the Pine Mountain LumberCompany of Yreka. Similar studies are under way with the cooperation of the Union Lumber Company, Fort Bragg, and the Coombs Lumber Company, Piercy.

Lumber from each of the studies has been trucked to the Forest Products Lab for drying. Under the direction of Dr. Helmuth Resch, this is resulting in practical procedures for the drying of these species. After seasoning, the data from all the grading studies will be combined and a final report made on the project.

"California's hardwoods go into what we call factorv lumber." Dost said. "These woods l-end themselves best to ,u"h ur", u, furniture and millwork.

'oTanoak has the biggest potential, with about two billion board feet available. California black oak would come next, with nearly two billion feet, and madrone third, with about 800 million feet.

"California now imports essentially all of the hardwood it uses. o'The potential is here {or a modest industry, but one that can support several operations of 50 to 100 persons, perhaps 500 in the primary jobs o{ logging and milling. There would be others in secondary uses of the wood. To some of our forest counties, hardwoods could be a useful resource."

Sterling Lumber Building New Chico Yord

Sterling Lumber Company, with headquarters in Oakland, is currently building a brand-new store and warehouse at East 8th and Esplanade Streets in Chicago on the site o{ its old branch outiet. Company officials estimate the new 60' x 6U low profile store will be open {or business during April.

Sterling Lumber, which operates a string of retail yards throughout northern California, established its Chico outlet during the early 20's, Joe Brostek is manaser of the operation.

M. M. "Moury" Doubin Relires from Sterling

M. M. "Maury" Daubin, a veteran of 38 years with Sterling Lumber Company, retired as manager of the firm's Mountain View branch on the first of the year. He had been manager o{ the branch since 1942.

Maury started his career with Sterling during 1926, and soon after was appointed manager of the company's Roseville branch. Later, he was transferred to Salinas as manager, then to Peta. luma and finally, in 1942, to Mountain View.