Research Plan for Fast-Growing Redwoods

A research program to produce a superior strain of fast-growing redwood trees has been announced by Howard A. Libbey, president of Arcata Redwood Company. Such trees, planted on cutover lands, would materially increase the productivity of young redwood forests, Mr. Libbey said.

The starting point for this research was the world's tallest trees, recently discovered on Arcata Redwood Company property. Sprouts and twigs, collected from these trees on May 21, are being grown in three difierent laboratories in California and in a forest nursery in l7ashington. The cooperation of outstanding government scientists in this project was made possible by financial support from the Arcata Redwood Company through grants to Humbolt State College, the University of California and the U.S. Forest Service. Help from scientists in private industry was arranged through Perpetual,Forests, Inc., the firm "'which does the helicopter seeding of Arcata Redwood Company's logged-over land each year.

The scientists working on this study were guided to the world's tallest trees by Eugene Hosted, the company forester. On a remote flat on Redwood Creek, l0 miles southeast of Orick, they were shown two California redwoods, each taller than a 35story building.

Material for study in the Institute of Forest Genetics at Placerville was collected from these trees by Dr. Robert Z. Callaham, assistant director of the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Forest & Range Experiment Station. Dr. William J. Libby, Jr., assistant profesor of Forest Genetics collected material for the University of California at Berkeley while Dr. Harry V. Wiant, Jr. collected material for Humboldt State College, where he is assistant professor of Silviculture.

Bent Gerdes, vice-president of Perpetual Forest, Inc., assisted the other scientists in obtaining particularly desirable material. He also arranged for cuttings to be grown at the Industrial Forestry Association's nursery at Nisqually, Washington.

Don Merriam, Arcata Redwood Company's skilled high-climber performed the feat of climbing a large-diameter tree to obtain special cuttings. His job was made unusually difficult by the necessity of making a thirty-foot loop of heavy steel-cored safety rope "walk up the troe" as he climbed.

Not all the material was difficult to obtain, however. Three small sprouts, each the size of a lead pencil, were found growing from the trunk of the world's tallest tree within two feet of the ground. Discovery of these sprouts made the scientist'g eyes sparkle. They were a key that could unlock genetic mysteries and make possible the development of better redwoods for the future.

What might a superior redwood be like'/ Each scientist had suggestions. It should grow rapidly from seed or sprout so as to keep high the productivity of our forest lands. It should produce wood that makes good lumber and valuable pulp to insure the profitable operation of the region's industries. And, it should have high vitality so that it will be able to maintain growth under adverse conditions. Having demonstrated exceptional vitality, the world's tallest trees can contribute at least one of these essential attributes to the ideal redwood tree of the future.

llartnc Chodedng

Marine Chartering Co. of San Francisco, headed by president George Kiskaddon, will resume ship charter service to the South Pacific for the lumber and forest product industry in September.

Although hardly any of our customers order it by its true name, Philippine Mahogany is a big item at Higgins Lumber. Over the past 88 years we've earned a reputation as specialists in this great wood. And for good reason. We consistently carry the biggest stocks on the West Coast. That means you can always get uniform color to match plywood and mouldings-and the right texture for interior or for marine use. It's just one of 52 expertly selected hardwoods you'll find at J. E. Higgins Lumber Compang 99 Bayshore Boulevard, San Francisco, California. VAleneia 4-8744.

AND NOW AT 1122 JOEttIS WAY IN SACRAMENTO,

T,OO. PHONE 927-2727

Serving The Southwestern Retail Dealer With Choice Old Growth Redwood

"Complete lnventory-4ll Sizes & Grodes, Green or Dry-fsr eyery pulpose" home of of

New Stcrndqrd for Insulofing Boord

The insulating board industry's new standard for stock types and sizes of structural insulatine board is now readv- the U.S. Department o[ Commerce has rlevealed. It supersedes the 1956 issue.

The standard was developed by industry in cooperation with the Office of Commodity Standards under the Department's program {or assisting industry groups in establishing Simplified Practice Recommendations through trade acceptance. The producers. distributors, and users o{ the product participated actively in the program which was initiated at the request of the Insulation Board Institute. The Forest Products Laboratory also cooperated,

The recommendation lists nine standards types of board for thermal insulation and one type for sound insulation, and gives the standard widths, lengths, and thicknesses of each. Also given are the standard edge details and information on the principal applications of each product. Thermal conductance factors are shown for the standard thicknesses of insulating roof decking and for roof insulating ,board. Sound deadening board details were added to this rer ision.

Copies of this Simplified Practice Recommendation, designated R179-63 Structural Insulating Board (Wood or Cane Fiber) are obtainable for I04 each {rom the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Vashington, D. C. 20402, or from local U. S. Dept. of Commerce Field Offices.

Prestressed Wood Beqms

Redwood Fencing Sidings

Interior ond Exterior Finish

CENTRALLY LOCATED IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES INDUSTRIAL AREA

LCL FROM YARDFAST PICK-UP

DIRECT SHIPMENTS VIA RAIL OR TRUCK & TRAILER- 1O CAR S.P. SPUR TRACKADJACENT TO ALL FREEWAYS

COMPLETE MILL FACILITIES AT OUR IO ACRE WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION

PLANTNATIONAL SHIPMENTS OF ALL PRODUCTS

'There is no SUBSTITUTE for EXPERIENCE!"