Grading and measuring hickory trees, logs, and products

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

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FOREWORD

Hickory (Carya spp.) has earned the reputation of being one of the world's
toughest woods. In shock resistance it has no equal. The reputation earned by
hickory is based on the performance of high quality material in products requir-
ing a high degree of strength and toughness.

Today, a limited quantity of high-grade hickory is available and its value
and scarcity are well recognized by the wood-using industries. There is, however,
a large volume of low-grade hickory that was bypassed when loggers cut our hard-
wood forests, and many land managers are troubled by the increasing amount of
growing space occupied by it. Although this low-grade hickory does not possess
the quality or properties required in many products, it is a potentially valuable
wood for many uses.

A conference of federal, state, university, and industrial representatives
was held in Clemson, S. C., in April 1953, and the Hickory Task Force was
organized to promote the utilization of hickory. Accomplishment of this objective
will be reached through research and publication of known information.

The Southeastern Forest Experiment Station has assumed the responsibility
to edit, publish, and distribute reports containing information which will be de-
veloped under this program.

Full acknowledgment is due the many cooperating agencies and individuals
who are making the project possible. Subject Matter Committee Chairmen are:

John Drow, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wis., Growth and
Properties of Hickory.

Roger Anderson, Duke University, Durham, N. C., Enemies of Hickory.

Roy M. Carter, N. C. State College, Raleigh, N. C., Manufacturing
and Seasoning of Hickory.

John W. Lehman, Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris, Tenn., Products
from Hickory.

Lenthall Wyman, N. C. State College, Raleigh, N. C., Hickory for Fuel.

Cc. E. Libby, N. C. State College, Raleigh; N.C., Hickory for Fiber.

Monie S. Hudson, Spartanburg, S. C., Treating Hickory.

Richard D. Lane, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby,
Penna., Marketing of Hickory.

Walton R. Smith, Chairman
Hickory Task Force

See the inside back
cover for a list of

hickory reports planned.

GRADING AND MEASURING
HICKORY TREES, LOGS, AND PRODUCTS

by
Allyn M. \Herrick, Dean}
George Foster Peabody School of Forestry
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

CONTENTS
Page Page
SUMUIMATY eelshii le mel esis eens cles @ 1 Measurement and grading of
IMEGORWCELON cw cme: -ucurepxcre! “ol fielnomeel 2 other primary products .... 11
Measurement of trees Handle blocks and blanks ...... 11
Eiaollkoyes} “o G1 as Goo) Oud lOc 2 Hickory striking toolhandles ... 14
Grading of trees and logs ....... 5 Hiickory foriskiis| iver «+: sie 0) 14
Purdue hardwood log Hickory poles and bark....... 15
PROAGCIAS\ 5g Bd 6 6d do oo omS 8 Biteraturecited Goes. 2 « « e.6 + «= s 17
Lumber grade yields, quality Joy orssevobbe's G Geo Ono Oem 0 0 ONO DONC 18
indices and overrun ...... 9
SUMMARY

There are no accepted standard grading systems specifically for hickory
trees, logs, or bolts, but grading systems developed by Purdue University and
the U. S. Forest Service are applicable for most hardwood species in the tem-
perate zone and appear to be suitable for hickory. Lumber grade yields have
been determined for a limited number of hickory trees and logs and are pre-
sented herein. Hickory product grades used by industry are also presented.

The major problem in the utilization of hickory is not with high-grade
products such as ski stock, picker sticks, handles, etc., since there is a
constant, strong demand for these items. The big problem is the utilization
of the vast quantity of low-grade hickory. Continued demand for the high-
grade hickory trees has left many of our forests with a preponderance of
low-grade hickory trees that find little use and continue to increase in number
and volume. Accurate grading systems can be the key to the utilization of this
material, particularly if applied in the standing tree. By being able to classify
hickory trees for specific uses, logging operations can be integrated fora
variety of products and permit the hickory to be channeled into the proper
lines of commerce.

This report is a starting point on hickory grades. It is hoped that other
research workers and industry will be inspired to further the effort.

1/ Report prepared while Professor of Forest Management, Purdue
Agricultural Experiment Station, Lafayette, Indiana.

INTRODUCTION

There is no fundamental difference between the grading and measuring of
hickory trees and logs and those of other species and species groups. However,
bolts and billets of hickory that are produced for the handle industry or other
secondary industries do have specifications that are more or less unique. And,
in limited instances, other primary products of hickory are graded and meas-
ured in a novel manner. Thus the following pages include descriptive and tab-
ular material both of general utility and for specific application to hickory.

MEASUREMENT OF TREES AND LOGS

Log rules in International (4-inch kerf), Scribner, and Doyle scales are
all used in estimating board-foot volumes for hickory logs. Log scaling is
basically unaffected by species and is not discussed herein. However, since
the Doyle log rule is used almost exclusively as the commercial scale through-
out the principal hickory-producing areas of the United States, it is presented
in table 1.

Table 1. --Log scale Doyle rule J

(Volume in board-feet)

Top Log length in feet
Geib

(inches)

8 8 10 12 14 16
10 18 22 27 32 36
12 32 40 48 56 64
14 50 62 75 88 100
16 12 90 108 126 144
18 98 122 147 172 196
20 128 160 192 224 256
22 162 202 243 284 324
24 200 250 300 350 400
26 242 302 363 424 484
28 288 360 432 504 576
30 338 422 507 592 676
32 392 490 588 686 784
34 450 562 675 788 900
36 512 640 768 896 1,024
38 578 722 867 1,012 1,156
40 648 810 972 1,134 1, 296

1/ Adapted from Schnur and Lane (8).

St Os

Except for pecan, hickory is largely an upland, dry-site species group,
and because of its deep root system and the accompanying habit of growth,
the hickory group is characterized as full-boled, with relatively little butt-
log taper. Because of the thick bark in some species, the butt-log form
quotient (Girard form class) for the group probably averages around 0.78.

Tables 2, 3, and 4 give estimated tree volumes in board-feet of hickory
species in three different geographic areas and in two different scales. The
author of the Lake States and the Kansas tables, S. R. Gevorkiantz (2), indi-
cates, ''The trees in the Lake States region have a slightly better form class
(0.79) because of the slightly thinner bark and less pronounced butt-swell.

The form class of the Kansas trees averaged around 0.78...hickories there

_ (Kansas and Missouri) generally ran much larger in diameter but less in
merchantable height than the northern hickories.'' The volumes in table 4

for the Ohio trees are somewhat lower than those for the Lake States hickories.

Table 2.--Volume tables for hickories, // Wisconsin and Michigan

SCRIBNER SCALE

Merchantable height above stump in feet 2/ Basis

(trees)

Debehs
(inches)

10 21 40 55 65 -- 18
12 36 62 83 98 114 32
14 Ball 88 118 142 168 15
16 -- 118 159 196 230 3
18 -- -- 201 256 300 --
Basis
(trees) ile 28 24 5 68

INTERNATIONAL (4) SCALE

10 26 47 63 Uo) -- 18
12 43 73 98 116 134 32
14 60 102 136 166 194 5
16 -- 129 178 226 263 3
18 -- -- 7APNT | 288 338 --
Basis
(trees) 11 28 24 5 68

1/ Compiled for use in the Forest Survey of the Lake States (6).

2/ Volume above stump to usable top, i.e., the point on the stem at which
merchantability for sawtimber is limited by branches, deformity, defect,
or by a diameter of less than 8.0 inches. Stump height: 1 foot up to 18
inches d.b.h.; 2 feet over 18 inches d.b.h.

Table 3.--Volume table for hicorieeee Kansas

Basis
(trees)

D.b.h. Merchantable height above stump in feet 2/

(inches)

-- Volume in board-feet, Scribner scale --

10 ale 33 -- -- 5
12 30 53 -- -- 4
14 47 81 108 -- 8
16 65 1H: 150 -- 6
18 80 138 190 242 8
20 98 Ibe 243 308 10
22 122 219 303 378 5
24 148 268 369 457 3
26 Ie SICAL 440 538 1
28 212 367 910 633 2
30 -- 423 586 730 --
32 -- 484 670 834 1

Basis

(trees) 18 26 8 1 53

1/ Compiled from data collected in the Forest Survey of Kansas.

2/ Volume above stump to usable top, i.e., the point on the stem at which
merchantability for sawtimber is limited by branches, deformity or defect.
Stump height: 0.9 to 3.5 feet,with an average of 1.8 feet.

Table 4.--Volume table for shagbark, pignut, and bitternut nickories Ohio

D.b.h. Merchantable height in 12.3-foot logs

(inches)

Basis
(trees)

-- Volume in board-feet, International (4) scale --

10 PAT 47 65 -- 14
12 41 71 99 126 Sil
14 58 102 141 179 24
16 79 138 192 243 18
18 -- 181 251 318 14
20 -- 230 320 405 rit
22 -- -- 398 504 4
24 = as oo 614 0
26 sc = so 738 1
28 -- -- -- 875 0

Basis

(trees) 26 24 50 13 113

1/ Adapted from a table prepared by Emmer (4). Trees measured by J. W.
Girard in 2-inch diameter classes and 10-foot to 16-foot log lengths and
scaled as such.

Percentage overrun from three log rules (Doyle, Scribner Dec. C.,
and International ¥$-inch) is shown in table 5. Although limited in basis,
the overrun data are representative for the given range in log size.

Table 5.--Percentage overrun fromthree scale rules for hickory / Indiana

Log Average percentage overrun from--
dieanibs

(inches)

International
(+) rule

Scribner (logs)

Dec. C. rule

iL 82 49 18 1
12 67 40 14 2
13 54 33 12 5
14 44 PAT 10 7
v5 36 22 8 4
16 30 19 6 5
ys 25 05 4 2
18 20 12 3 2
19 16 9 1 0
20 12 6 0 2,
oil 9 3 -1 1
All sizes 31 18 6 31

1/ Original data collected by Purdue A.E.S. Based upon 4,390 board-feet,
mill tally, of sound logs only.

Volumes of trees in handle bolts and added saw log-volumes are shown
in table 6. The scale of bolts is shown in both board-feet and in total inches
of diameter (inside bark) at the small end of the bolts. Standard bolt length
is 40 inches, and the minimum top diameter is 7 inches.

GRADING OF TREES AND LOGS

Two sets of log grading rules are presented. The Purdue grades define
quality by reference to the proportion of the ''cylindrical'' segments of the log
that are clear of external evidence of defect. The Forest Service Standard
Grades for Factory Logs (table 7) are based upon the amount and length of
"clear cuttings" on the three best ''grading faces.'' As with log rules, these
grades are not specifically for hickory logs, but were designed to be applied
generally to all species of hardwoods.

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Purdue Hardwood Log Grades (5)

Prime Practically (90 percent) surface clear in one cutting on
"three visible faces." 2/ Must be 16 inches or larger
in d.i.b.

No. 1 At least three-fourths (75 percent) of length on three

visible faces must be surface clear in one cutting. 3/
Must be at least 14 inches d.i.b.

No. 2 At least one-half (50 percent) of length on three visible
faces must be surface clear in one or two cuttings,
neither of which is less than 3 feet long. Must be at
least 10 inches in d.i.b.

No. 3: Will not meet No. 2 specifications.

Tree grading systems suitable for use with hickory have been reported
by Campbell (3) and Herrick (5). These systems rely upon the identification
of the grades of one or more logs in each tree.

Campbell's system applies the Forest Service Standard Grades for
Factory Logs to the butt log only, and suggests their application to just one
predetermined grading face (90° of the tree circumference). The tree
grades are designated as "A," "B," and "'C,'' corresponding with butt log
grades of Fl, F2, and F3, respectively (table 8).

Tree grade, as defined by Herrick, is the unweighted, arithmetic average
of the (Purdue) grade numbers of all of the logs in the tree, prime logs being
called 'zero.'' Thus a three-log tree containing a prime, a No. 1, anda No. 2
grade log would have a tree grade of 1, (0+ 1+2=3; 3+3= 1). Since the
log grades apply to that portion of the tree facing the observer, and are quite
simple in definition, the trees may be graded from a single position, if desired.

2/ The ''three visible faces" concept, as introduced by the late James W.
Girard and as used in the Purdue log grades, refers to the portion of the tree
visible to an observer from one position and includes evidences of protruding
defects, such as limb stubs or branches, even though their bases are not visible
to the observer.

3/ A cutting is the length between surface indications of a sound or un-
sound defect.

Table 8.--Tree grades for Appalachian hardwoods !/

Clear cuttings on
grading faces 2

Minimum | Maximum eases mength SWEEP
single total and crook

FPL D.b.h. class Maximum defect

-- Inches -- Number - - Feet - - - - Percent --

A 1 18+ 4/16 2 7 13 15 40
18 2 5 13 15 40

24 2 3 13) 15 40

B 2 16+ 12 2 3 1 30 50
14 3} 3 ital 30 50

(© 3 12+ 10 8 2 8 50 50

1/ Based on quality of the first 16.3-foot length above the stump or jump butt, if any.
After Campbell (3).

2/ This is the right-hand face of the 2 faces seen as the tree is approached.

3/ Total cull including crook and sweep. See Lockard, et al., (7) for type of defect
and cull estimates. %

4/ Ash and basswood only will admit 14-inch trees.

LUMBER GRADE YIELDS, QUALITY INDICES, AND OVERRUN

Hickory lumber is graded according to the National Hardwood Lumber

Association (NHLA) rules,with Number 3A Common and Number 3B Common
characteristically being kept separate. Table 9 shows percentage grade re-
covery figures by log diameter for some 11,000 board-feet of hickory sawed at
mills in the Tennessee Valley Authority area. The table covers all grades of
logs and is segregated according to FPL log grades for factory lumber. Table
10 shows grade yields for different log diameters of hickory logs which were
sawed in Indiana. The basis is between 5,000 and 6,000 board-feet, mill tally.

Relative grade yields according to Forest Service Standard Grades for
Factory Logs, with all sizes pooled, are in table 11. They are based on
about 31,000 board-feet of mill tally.

Table 12 includes quality indices (QI's) for hickory based on standard
price relatives. Quality indices are proportional to the dollar values of the
lumber in the logs (5). The QI's are shown according to log diameter, re-
gardless of log grade, and according to Purdue log grade when log sizes
are pooled.

Campbell (3) has developed tree QI's for Appalachian hickory by tree
grade and diameter, for trees having one, two, or three logs (table 13).

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MEASUREMENT AND GRADING OF OTHER PRIMARY PRODUCTS

Hickory is used for the manufacture of many specialty items such as
skis, softball bats, and sucker rods (1). Specifications vary from industry
to industry and from one manufacturer to another within a given industry, so

that it is almost impossible to set

Table 12.--Average quality indices for hick- :
Sais ietianes Himccotllig 16 15) in Indiana, J) according to log down standards. The handle indus-
diameter and log grade try, however, has grades and spec-

ifications that permit generalization.

Diameter or grade Quality index
Percent Handle Blocks and Blanks
D.i.b. SEE
i a | a Hickory handle blocks are com-
16: 85 monly bought and sold on the basis of
= or the handle "count" for various diam-
922" 91 eters (fig. 1). Sometimes bolts are
2a) i 91 measured by the standard cord of 128
Purdue grade cubic feet. A pile 4 feet high by 10
Prime ce feet long of 40-inch handle bolts equals
1 83 ;
2 74 one cord, approximately. Table 14
3 67 shows the number of handles obtainable

[a nen ee from blocks of different diameters.
1/ Adapted from Herrick (5), Tables D-4 and

D-6. Price relatives: FAS, 1.4; 1C&Sel., 1.0;
2G>. 0.6365 0024-

Table 13.--Quality indices for Appalachian hickor /

(In percent)

1-log trees 2-log trees 3-log trees

Di b2h-

(inches) | Grade | Grade | Grade | Grade |} Grade | Grade | Grade | Grade
A B Cc A B Cc A B
AZ, == a 43 -- -- 41 -- -- 40
14 93 71 47 78 59 45 67 55 44
16 97 1D al 81 63 49 71 58 48
18 101 79 55 84 67 53 75 62 52
20 105 83 59 88 71 57 78 65 56
22 108 87 63 92 75 61 82 70 60
24 112 91 67 95 79 65 86 74 63
26 116 95 72 98 83 69 89 ree 67
28 120 99 76 102 87 the: 93 81 qi
30 124 103 80 105 91 rae 97 85 75

1/ Adapted from Campbell (3), Table 6.

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Photo courtesy Purdue A.E.S.

Figure 1.--Hickory handle blocks (foreground) and handle blanks (rear) at an Indiana factory.

Prejudice against red hickory
has been built up in the past because
of the association of red heartwood
with slow-growth, mature trees. It
is the slow growth,and the accompany-
ing low percentage of summerwood

Table 14.--Handle scale or handle count

Top d.i.b.
of block
(inches)

Handle count

Number and low density that are detrimental
7 3 to the strength properties of hickory,
8 4 not the red color. Exhaustive tests
9 6 by the Forest Products Laboratory

10 7,8 (11) show that, ''weight for weight,

re ae sound hickory has the same strength,

13 14 toughness, and resistance to shock,

14 14-16 regardless of whether it is red, white,

15 17 or mixed red and white."

16 18-19

pt ze The density of hickory is the best

18 20-22 : :

19 24 clue to its strength. Thus, for a given
————— size of piece, grading (for strength) may
4J/ Original data collected by Purdue be accomplished by weighing. Similarly,
INBS Be Sp evidences of strength (density) may be

obtained by determining the number of
growth rings per inch. Standards maintained by many handle-manufacturering
concerns are such that wood showing more than 20 growth rings per inch is
not acceptable for high-grade handle blocks.

SDs

Grades for hickory blocks that are representative of those used by mid-
western and southern handle companies are given below:

Typical Grades and Specifications for Hickory Handle Blocks

speeies accepted ~.. 2.2... Shagbark, mockernut and pignut or black
hickory. Yellowbud or bitternut hickory is
not acceptable for handles.

Minimum, top G.i.b. ..<\0\ 7 or 8 inches. Varies with company.
Pempis Bee oe ate se ohare ose one 38, 40, or 42 inches. Varies with company.
Grade No. 1 (or A) ...... Strictly clear blocks with at least 3 inches

(or 33, or 4 inches, depending upon the
company) of white wood (sapwood) on the
small end of the block.

Grade No: 2or B) .2:005. Generally clear blocks with less than the
depth of white wood required of Grade No.1.

Geade No.3) (OTC) is,010.2 «0 Red blocks with less than 2 inches of white
wood, or reasonably clean blocks but permit-
ting small defects such as slight pecks, streaks,
etc. Light weight may place blocks in this grade.

Grades and specifications for hickory handle blanks for the TVA area,
as quoted by Smith (9), are essentially the same as those in use by an
Indiana handle company:

Jp 45 ot WA Must be all white, heavy timber, free from all defects,
perfect, full size, and straight grain.

IG PLE a ieveret a ets Must be good weight timber, permitting one-third red
wood the entire length of the blank. All-white blanks
of good weight not sufficiently heavy for Extra grade,
and blanks of good weight with two light hair streaks
running the full length of the blank or their equivalent
in shorter streaks are permitted. No. 1 blanks must
be free from defects, full size, and straight grain.

IC RAS A Must be fair weight timber; permitting red, white, or
red and white mixed wood; permitting light streaks and
three tight, sound knots not over 4 inch in diameter
when occurring in that part of the blank other than will
produce the center, or spring, of the handle. Reason-
ably straight grain is required.

No. 3. ...... Includes such blanks as will produce serviceable handles,
but are not admissible to the higher grades on account of
defects.

Reject ...... Are those containing open knots greater than 3/8 inch in
diameter, worm holes, windshakes, or that are brashy,
and are not admissible to any grade.

as |e

Recommendations for standard grades for hickory striking tool handles
are given on page 9, Hickory Task Force Report No. 6, and are reproduced
again in the Appendix.

Hickory Striking Tool Handles

The grading of handles is based upon visual inspection of each handle
and on the judgment of the grader. It is not expected that the grader will
determine the weight per cubic foot or number of rings per inch for each
handle. In case of questions, however, one or both of these characteristics
may be measured for conformance with the requirements given each grade.

Handles are manufactured from all commercial species of hickory.
Weights are based upon a moisture content not exceeding 12 percent.

Blemishes.--These include small streaks--threadlike discolorations
extending not more than one-third the length of the handle; medium streaks--
discolorations extending more than one-third the length of the handle, but
not over 1/32 inch in width; mismanufacture which does not impair the ser-
viceability; and light stain--slight difference in color which will not seriously
impair the appearance of the handle.

Defects.--These include knots; birdpecks; splits; holes; decay; stain;
crossgrain--deviation of the fiber out of parallel with the axis of the handle
in excess of 1 in 20; abrupt dip grain--deviation of the fiber out of parallel
with the axis of the handle in excess of one-eighth the minimum diameter of
the handle at the point where the dip grain occurs; slight dip grain--deviation
of the fiber out of parallel with the axis of the handle point where the dip
grain occurs; heavy stain--discoloration of the wood occurring in specks,
spots, streaks, or patches of varying intensities of color (generally bluish-
black); and large streaks--discolorations more than 1/32 inch in width.

Hickory for Skis

Some producers in the Tennessee Valley have quoted specifications for
ski blanks. Although varying in certain details, these specifications generally
call for clear, straight-grained white hickory of the highest grade. The No. 2
grade is also clear but may be red on one side; No. 3 is clear but can be all
red. The size (green) is typically 13 inches by 43 inches by 7 to 8 feet, with
2 or 3 inches of extra length allowed for trimming.

Wood to be used in laminated skis is described in specifications of the
U. S. Department of Defense (10). For top and bottom sections the wood
shall be true hickory (bigleaf shagbark, mockernut, pignut, or shellbark),
weighing not less than 48 pounds per cubic foot at 12 percent moisture con-
tent. It must be clear and free of decay, splits, check, honeycomb, shakes,
knots, holes and bark pockets, crossbreaks, case hardening, compression
wood, brashness, doze, or any other defects affecting serviceability. Mineral
streaks not more than one-eighth inch wide and not more than 12 inches long
will be permitted. Slope of grain shall not exceed 1 in 15 on any face.

Sa

Hickory may also be used for the center section and filler plate in lam-
inated skis. For this purpose the weight must be not less than 40 pounds per
cubic foot at 12 percent moisture content, and the slope of the grain must not
exceed 1 in 10 on any face. Wood shall be free of decay, splits, bark pockets,
and unsound knots. Other defects will be limited as follows:

1. Sound tight knots not exceeding one-fourth inch in average
diameter and located at least 6 inches apart.

2. Holes not exceeding one-sixteenth inch in diameter and at
least 2 inches apart. Holes shall not appear on exposed
edges.

3. Surface checks and shakes shall be limited to barely
perceptible openings, not over 4 inches long and not
appearing on exposed edges.

4. Sound mineral streaks will be permitted. Patching of
defects in the center section with wood patches will be
permitted, providing each patch is not less than 4 times
as long as its greatest cross sectional dimensions and
providing the ends of each patch are scarfed at a slope not
exceeding 1 in 10. All joints of patches shall be tight and
shall comply to the requirements for laminated joints of
this specification. Patching shall be done before the center
section is glued together.

Hickory Poles and Bark

Manufacturers of rustic furniture purchase hickory poles and, in some
cases, bark as raw materials. Small poles suitable for rungs are 3/4 to 1
inch in diameter. Larger poles, from 13 to 4 inches in top diameter, are
used for posts in the furniture. Lengths accepted vary from a minimum of
20 inches for rung stock at one plant to 103 feet maximum at another. The
poles must be cut during the winter so that the bark will remain tight. They
are bought by the piece.

Bark of pignut (black) hickory is purchased by the hundred square feet
of surface measure. In making strips for furniture seats and backs the bark
is split, hence higher yields are realized from thick bark. The grade and
price paid are higher, therefore, when the bark is thick. Bark is delivered
and stored in rolls (fig. 2).

iis

Photo courtesy Purdue A.E.S.

Figure 2.--Hickory bark is purchased by surface measure and is delivered and stored in rolls.

ike

10.

1p

12.

Betts, H. S.

1945.

LITERATURE CITED

HICKORY. In American Woods. U. S. Dept. Agr. Forest
Serv... 10ippa. aillus:

Brown, R. M., and Gevorkiantz, S. R.

1934.

VOLUME, YIELD, AND STAND TABLES FOR TREE SPECIES IN
THE LAKE STATES. Univ. Minn. Agr. Expt. Sta. Tech. Bul. 39,
208 pp.

Campbell, R. A.

1955.

Emmer, R.
1941.

Herrick, A.
1956.

TREE GRADES AND ECONOMIC MATURITY FOR SOME APPA-
LACHIAN HARDWOODS. U. S. Forest Serv. Southeast. Forest
Expt. Sta. Paper 53, 22 pp. illus.

E.
VOLUME TABLES FOR SHAGBARK, PIGNUT, AND BITTERNUT
HICKORIES. U.S. Forest Serv. Cent. States Forest Expt. Sta.
Tech. Note 41, lp.

M.
THE QUALITY INDEX IN HARDWOOD SAWTIMBER MANAGE-
MENT. Purdue Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 632, 26 pp., illus.

Lake States Forest Experiment Station

1936.

hockard, iC.
1950.

BOARD-FOOT VOLUME TABLES FOR IMPORTANT TIMBER
SPECIES IN MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN. U. S. Forest Serv.
Lake States Forest Expt. Sta., unnumbered.

R., Putnam, J. A.,. and Carpenter, R. D.
LOG DEFECTS IN SOUTHERN HARDWOODS. U.S. Dept. Agr.
Handbook 4, 37 pp., illus.

Schnurr, G. i. and Lane, Rk. D-

1948.

LOG RULE COMPARISON, INTERNATIONAL 4-INCH, DOYLE,
AND SCRIBNER. U. S. Forest Serv. Cent. States Forest Expt.
Sta. Note 47, 6 pp.

smith, W. P.

1952.

THE STRIKING TOOL HANDLE AND HANDLE BLANK INDUSTRY
IN THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AREA. U.S. Tenn. Val. Authority
Div. Forest Relations Rpt. 204-52, 19 pp., illus.

U. S. Defense Department

1956.

MILITARY SPECIFICATION, SKIS. MIL.-S-1779C. U.S. Govt.
Printing Office.

U. S. Forest Service

1936.

1953.

RED HICKORY AS STRONG AS WHITE HICKORY. Forest Prod.
Lab. Tech. Note 171, 2 pp.

HARDWOOD LOG GRADES FOR STANDARD LUMBER, PROPOSALS
AND RESULTS. Forest Prod. Lab. Rpt. D-1737, 15 pp., plus 46
tables, illus.

= Ally

APPENDIX

SIMPLIFIED PRACTICE RECOMMENDATION, HICKORY HANDLES

(The grading of handles is based on visual inspection of each handle and on the judgment of the grader.
It is not expected that the grader will determine the weight per cubic foot or number of rings per inch

for each handle.

conformance with the requirements given in this table for each grade.)

Grade
symbol

AAW

AW

AR

BW

BR

1/ | Color of wood

All white

All white

Red or red-
and-white

White except
for red extend-
ing from the
eye end not
more than 2
inches beyond
the shoulder,
or 3 inches
from the grip
end, or both.

Red or red-
and-white

Red or red-
and-white

Number of annual

rings per inch
of radius

Not more than 17

Not more than 22

Not more than 22

Not more than 27

Not more than 27

No requirement

Weight in pounds
per cubic foot 2

Over 55 (heavy)

Over 46 to 55
(medium)

Over 46 to 55
(medium)

Over 46 to 55
(medium)

Over 46 to 55
(medium)

38 to 46
(fair)

Admissible
blemishes

None

Not exceeding 2
small streaks or
their equivalent
in shorter
streaks

Medium streaks

Not exceeding 4
medium streaks
or their equiv-
alent in shorter
streaks.

Light stain.

Medium streaks
Light stain

No requirement

In case of question, however, one or both of these characters may be measured for

Admissible
defects 4/

None

None

None

One or 2 bird
pecks, or tight,
sound knots the
sum of whose
average diameter
does not exceed
; inch in the eye
end or first third
of the grasp end.
Slight dip grain.

One or 2 bird
pecks, or tight
sound knots the
sum of whose
average diameter
does not exceed
finch. Slight
dip grain.

Any or all those
listed in footnote
4, provided none
of them seriously
impairs the
serviceability of
the handle.

1/ Grade marking: If handles are grade marked it is recommended that the grade symbol be impressed
in the wood.
These weights are based on a moisture content not exceeding 12 percent.
3/ Blemishes include: Small streaks, threadlike discoloration extending not more than 1/3 the length

of the handle; medium streaks, discoloration extending more than 1/3 the length of the handle, but not over
1/32-inch in width; mismanufacture which does not impair the serviceability; and light stain, slight difference

in color which will not seriously impair the appearance of the handle.
4/ Defects include: Knots, bird pecks, splits, holes, decay, stain, cross grain--deviation of the fibre

out of parallel with the axis of the handle in excess of 1 in 20; abrupt dip grain--deviation of the fibre out of
parallel with the axis of the handle in excess of 1/8 the minimum diameter of the handle at the point where the
dip grain occurs; slight dip grain--deviation of the fibre out of parallel with the axis of the handle not in ex-
cess of 1/8 of the minimum diameter of the handle at the point where the dip grain occurs; heavy stain--
discoloration of the wood occurring in specks, spots, streaks or patches of varying intensities of color
(generally bluish black); and large streaks--discoloration more than 1/32 inch in width.

Be

HICKORY REPORTS PLANNED

"*

: The distribution and volume of hickory timber. *

{ Managing hickory in the hardwood stand.

; Grading and measuring hickory trees, logs, and products.*
Stresses in living hickory and their importance.

The chemistry of hickory. *

Mechanical properties of hickory.

Hickory for fiber.

Hickory for fuel.

Fungus enemies of hickory. *

Damage to hickory by insects and birds.

Logging and milling problems with hickory.

Hickory for veneer and plywood. *

Seasoning hickory lumber and handle blanks.*

Machining hickory.

Gluing hickory.

Finishing hickory.

Bending hickory.

The use of nails and other fastenings in hickory.

Products from hickory bolts. *

Products obtained from hickory logs.

Seasoning and preservative treatment of hickory cross ties.
The preservative treatment of hickory for other products.
Marketing of hickory.

Copies of the Hickory Task Force publications can be obtained from the following:

Southeastern Forest Experiment Station Regional Forester
Box 2570 U. S. Forest Service
Asheville, N. C. 50 Seventh Street, N. E.

Atlanta 23, Ga.
Southern Forest Experiment Station

704 Lowich Building, 2026St. Charles Ave. Regional Forester
New Orleans 13, La. Ueto. HOrest service
Center Building, 6816 Market St.
Central States Forest Experiment Station Upper Darby, Pa.
111 Old Federal Building
Columbus 15, Ohio Regional Forester
U. 5. Forest Service
Lake States Forest Experiment Station Madison Building
St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota 623 North Second Street
Sie aul tl. viamn. Milwaukee 3, Wis.
Northeastern Forest Experiment Station Forest Utilization Section
102 Motors Avenue Tennessee Valley Authority
Upper Darby, Pa. Norris, Tennessee

Forest Products Laboratory
Madison 5, Wis.

* Published
Sor
Agriculture - Asheville % )

a