Author Archives: Norm Benson

Trash Talk – Why I Won't Buy a Kindle Anytime Soon

As a forester, I’d wondered about the claims that ebook readers such as the Amazon Kindle or the Sony PRS-700 would save trees and therefore, be better for our environment than a physical book made from like…trees. I concluded that the question, “Do ereaders save trees?” is not the right question to ask. First question,Continue reading “Trash Talk – Why I Won't Buy a Kindle Anytime Soon”

If it’s not grown, it has to be mined.

It pains us to cut trees for their wood. One recommended technique for escaping the pain of cutting down trees for paper is to substitute electronics. The technique reminds me of a comedy I watched. As I remember it, in an opening scene, a wounded tough-as-nails soldier breaks his own finger to take his mindContinue reading “If it’s not grown, it has to be mined.”

If it's not grown, it has to be mined.

It pains us to cut trees for their wood. One recommended technique for escaping the pain of cutting down trees for paper is to substitute electronics. The technique reminds me of a comedy I watched. As I remember it, in an opening scene, a wounded tough-as-nails soldier breaks his own finger to take his mindContinue reading “If it's not grown, it has to be mined.”

Timber’s Term of the Week: Section 37

Section 37 n Where all good bushelers go when they go beyond the vale.  A logger’s paradise where every tree is straight, tall, without flaws, and eight feet in diameter. And no underbrush, scalers, or inkslingers can be found: John’s gone to Section 37 and won’t be coming back. A mythical place. Something not supposedContinue reading “Timber’s Term of the Week: Section 37”

Timber's Term of the Week: Section 37

Section 37 n Where all good bushelers go when they go beyond the vale.  A logger’s paradise where every tree is straight, tall, without flaws, and eight feet in diameter. And no underbrush, scalers, or inkslingers can be found: John’s gone to Section 37 and won’t be coming back. A mythical place. Something not supposedContinue reading “Timber's Term of the Week: Section 37”

Tree Seedlings Available for Planting on California's Post-Fire Forest Restoration

California experienced a severe fire season last year. Many thousands of forested acres have burned both on private and public lands. CAL FIRE assistance programs can help California forest landowners whose forests were affected by fires. One of these programs is the Tree Seedling Nursery Program. This program sells tree seedlings for reforesting forest ownerships.Continue reading “Tree Seedlings Available for Planting on California's Post-Fire Forest Restoration”

Tree Seedlings Available for Planting on California’s Post-Fire Forest Restoration

California experienced a severe fire season last year. Many thousands of forested acres have burned both on private and public lands. CAL FIRE assistance programs can help California forest landowners whose forests were affected by fires. One of these programs is the Tree Seedling Nursery Program. This program sells tree seedlings for reforesting forest ownerships.Continue reading “Tree Seedlings Available for Planting on California’s Post-Fire Forest Restoration”

Timber’s Term of the Week: Skid Road

How did skid road morph into skid row? Webster’s Online Dictionary defines a “skid road” as: A road made of logs on which freshly cut timber can be hauled. Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines a “skid road” as: A road along which logs are skidded. The California Board of Forestry defines skid roads (or tractor roads)Continue reading “Timber’s Term of the Week: Skid Road”

Timber's Term of the Week: Skid Road

How did skid road morph into skid row? Webster’s Online Dictionary defines a “skid road” as: A road made of logs on which freshly cut timber can be hauled. Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines a “skid road” as: A road along which logs are skidded. The California Board of Forestry defines skid roads (or tractor roads)Continue reading “Timber's Term of the Week: Skid Road”