Dying Piece of History

[Idaho Jarhead]

I figured you boys in WSS might be able to appreciate this a bit.

As I'm sure you know, lumberjacks in days of old cut down their trees with enormous hand saws rather than the chain saws we use today. Oftentimes they needed to raise themselves up onto the tree itself before they could get a clean cut. And it was in those instances that they used axes to cut notches into the base of the tree. Springboards were then placed in those notches so the lumberjacks could have a raised platform in which to work.

Inspired by a co-worker, I took a walk the other day and photographed a few old stumps with springboard notches. As the stumps rot out these pieces of history are disappearing at a quickening pace.

Here are a few pictures from a very old cutting area. If you live in the Pacific NW, chances are you have probably seen something like this before. But either way, I hope you like.

This stump has two notches in it. The cut was about 8' off the ground.

I didn't have anything to give perspective, but this tree was about 6' across.

Sepia toned for nastalgia

Here is why we need to document these things; disappearing before our eyes.

 

[Bushman5]

you and me both! we got tons of old cedar stumps here with springboad notches in them. A truly lost art (springboard , ax and whipsaw.

 

[C Bryant]

Wow, great post, thank you. My grandfather at one time in his life was a lumberjack in Canada many many moons ago. He still tells stories of cutting notches in the trees for the boards, and running timber down rivers. Thanks for Sharing!

 

[saxon]

Fatwood for everybody!!!!!!!!

 

[norcalblacktail]

All the old growth stumps around here have the springboard cuts. Its definitely very cool to see them in person.