THE VOICE OF THE TIMBER INDUSTRY TIMBER BULLETIN DULUTH, MINNESOTA MAY/JUNE 2019 VOLUME 74 ShermerShermer Logging:Logging: NationalNational LoggerLogger ofof thethe YearYear

North Star Expo Itasca County Fairgrounds Grand Rapids Sept. 13 and 14

66th Annual North Star Expo September 13th and 14th Itasca County Fairgrounds Grand Rapids, MN Free Admission! More than 100 exhibitors and vendors! Log Loader Contest! Friday Night: Expo Reception with Hors d’ouevres and Cash Bar at Timberlake Lodge Saturday: Pancake Breakfast sponsored by McCoy Construction and Forestry

For more information: MN Timber Producers Association 218-722-5013 THE VOICE OF THE TIMBER INDUSTRY

Volume 74 TIMBER May/June 2019 Duluth, Minnesota BULLETIN IN THIS ISSUE Shermer Logging Named National Logger of the Year...... 8 ______Harry Fisher: 1937-2019...... 10 ______Legislative Re-cap...... 12 ______8 A Good Sign...... 14 ______Timber Talk...... 16 ______Expo to Grand Rapids...... 18 ______Annual Meeting Highlights...... 20 ______On the Markets...... 26 14 ______Loggers of the Past...... 28 ______Classifieds...... 30 ______Advertisers Index...... 30 TIMBER PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ON THE COVER President Shermer Logging: National 18 KURT BENSON Logger of the Year. For more, Past President please turn to page 8. DAVE BERTHIAUME 1st Vice President ROD ENBERG The Timber Bulletin is published six times annually, 2nd Vice President in February, April, June, August, October and December by the Minnesota Timber Producers COREY LOVDAHL Association, located at 903 Medical Arts Bldg., Secretary/Treasurer 324 W. Superior St., Duluth, Minn. Minnesota Timber Producers Association members receive KELLY KIMBALL the Timber Bulletin at an annual subscription rate Editor-in-Chief of $25 which is included in their membership dues. Periodicals postage paid in Duluth, Minnesota. WAYNE E. BRANDT Advertising rates and data on request. The views Graphic Design, Editorial and Mechanical Production expressed in the Timber Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Minnesota STEWART-TAYLOR PRINTING Timber Producers Association. 19 Postmaster: Please send address corrections to TIMBER BULLETIN, Minnesota Timber Minnesota Producers Association, 903 Medical Arts Bldg., Timber Producers 324 W. Superior St., Duluth, Minnesota 55802, No articles may be reprinted without written permission Association Phone 218-722-5013. from the Minnesota Timber Producers Association. Issn: 10973532 – USPS: 016208

Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 3 Greetings to all! As I write this that there was much discussion on questions and voice your opinion. it is a gorgeous June day. Warm and this topic, and at one point it didn’t Feel free to contact TPA staff or sunny! The weather has not been look too promising of getting it myself with concerns. The world too cooperative in some areas of the back. Thanks much to Wayne and is run by those who show up! As state lately though..... Sometimes I Ray both for continuing to talk to always, be safe in the woods, and wonder just who Mother Nature is the right folks to get this through. remember to enjoy some personal mad at. One more thing that the executive time as well! Thanks to all that showed up committee tried this Spring were for the Annual meeting earlier this regional board meetings with month. Attendance was up! The members. They were held in morning program seemed to keep Duluth, Grand Rapids, Bemidji, and President’s everyone International Falls. The agenda was interested pretty easy, a short presentation of and several what TPA staff has been doing and topics then an open discussion of whatever brought the group wanted to talk about, or Executive Committee Column up much see TPA staff engaged in. I think Kurt Benson: 218-835-4525 discussion, always that these informal meetings were Rod Enberg: 218-352-6175 a good thing to advantageous to our group as there Corey Lovdahl: 218-244-4580 keep folks up were some different topics at all the Dave Berthiaume: 218-380-9783 to date on new meetings. Seems folks are more Kelly Kimball: 218-849-5222 rules, regulations apt to voice themselves in smaller TPA Staff and expectations groups. My opinion is, we should Ray Higgins: 218-722-5013 from the various continue these regional meetings. Wayne Brandt: 218-722-5013 departments we As always, I encourage all of deal with. MLEP credits were a our members to be engaged. Ask nice addition this year. The weather cooperated for the fisherman and golfers in the afternoon, and sounded like most everyone had a good time. The attendance at the evening event was up as well, it was so nice to see several new faces this TIMBER BULLETIN Subscription Order year. Thanks for your membership and support. Dick Beardsley was Please ENTER my subscription to the Minnesota Timber Bulletin (six issues per a very interesting speaker to listen year). Payment is enclosed for: to. His life has been anything but Ⅺ 1 year $25 Ⅺ 2 years $40 Ⅺ 3 years $55 dull! If you haven’t heard his story, Please type or print clearly. I encourage you to do so. I do know that he has a few videos on You NAME ______Tube to watch. There were a couple ideas of changing the dates of the ADDRESS ______annual meeting to the possibility of being held earlier in the spring. I CITY ______STATE ______ZIP______encourage all members that have an opinion on this to call the TPA office COMPANY/ORGANIZATION ______or me to voice your thoughts, or new ideas for this event. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Please send my GIFT SUBSCRIPTION to the Minnesota Timber Bulletin (six issues Cliff Shermer for being selected per year) to be sent to the name below. Payment is enclosed for: as this year’s National Logger of Ⅺ 1 year $20 Ⅺ 2 years $33 Ⅺ 3 years $45 the Year. I know how deserving Please type or print clearly. Cliff is of this award. It is also noteworthy that a Northern NAME ______Minnesota logger has been selected for this award 3 times since 2010, ADDRESS ______with Dave Berthiaume and Kit Hasbargen being the other two. CITY ______STATE ______ZIP______Thanks to several legislators, and in particular, Rob Ecklund for Make checks payable to: getting our 5% weight tolerance TPA Services, Inc., 903 Medical Arts Bldg., 324 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802 back for summer hauling. I know Note: Existing subscriptions will continue at their current rate until they expire.

4 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 24/7 Self- Unloading Drop Site Available! Basswood ONLY Length: must be 100" Diameter: 88 inch minimum Limbs: well trimmed, flush with bole No Bells, Rot or Crotches Minimal Cracks and Sweep Needs to be fresh cut logs

Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 5 He did it all. What else can you We had a great TPA Annual immediately after they changed say about long-time TPA member Meeting at Ruttger’s with strong their interpretation of the law. Rep. Harry Fisher who recently passed participation. The presentations Rob Ecklund did a great job as away. During his career Harry was from the State Patrol and the DNR the chief author in the House of a public agency forester, a company Division of Forestry were valuable Representatives and Senator Jason procurement forester, a logger, a to our members in attendance. Rarick gave great support on the company woodlands manager, a The weather was excellent for the Conference Committee. lobbyist at the State Capitol and afternoon golf and fishing events It also helped that Rep. Frank always an innovator. and banquet speaker Dick Beardsley Hornstein was the Chair of the I spent a lot of time with Harry was truly inspiring. Thank you to House committee. We have worked in the 1990’s when he was lobbying Ann Todd, Ray Higgins, the TPA PR with him on trucking, weight and Executive Vice for St. Louis Committee and all of our sponsors other issues for many years and President’s County and for making the event a great success. he was again very helpful to us the other this year. Rep. Hornstein, a liberal county land W W W from south Minneapolis, really has departments. The 2019 Session of the Minnesota no reason to help us other than Harry and I Legislature completed its work after he’s a good legislator and we have Column worked with a one day Special Session. We were developed a good relationship with then Representative successful in enacting a provision to him over many years. That’s the Willard Munger clarify that the 5% on-road weight way a lot of things get done in life to draft and enact tolerance applies year round. We and at the Capitol. If you show up the silviculture have a lot of experience with truck once in a while and expect to get and forest road weight legislation and it’s always important work done you’re likely exemptions in a struggle. This year was no to be disappointed. If you’re there the Wetlands exception as MN DOT in particular every day, every year like we are Conservation Act with Harry in the caused trouble. Fortunately we at TPA, people will know you and lead. Harry didn’t know anywhere had begun working with the your interests and be more willing to be but in the lead. State Patrol on this effort last year to work with you. Twenty-eight years after their passage, these exemptions still stand. Harry was also deeply involved in the creation of the MN Forest Resources Council’s Voluntary Site- Level Guidelines. He was always Specialized expertise for the willing to participate in committees and meetings and always fought TIMBER INDUSTRY. for the greater good for loggers and From dozers to processors, our timber lending specialists provide our industry. His participation was financial resources, knowledge and expertise to meet the needs of focused on everyone and not just his business. each logging operation we work with. We’ll help you move forward My condolences to his wife Pat, financially in an industry that is becoming increasingly complex. daughter Heidi and the rest of his Operating loans | Equipment loans | Leases | and more family. Harry was one of a kind and they’re not making his kind anymore. I will miss him. #CHAMPIONRURAL

W W W Congratulations to Cliff Shermer and Shermer Logging for being named FRA’s National Logger of the Year! Cliff, a TPA Board Member, richly deserves this recognition as Ben Mussehl Timber Specialist he, his family and crew do a great (715) 688-9080 job and are a credit to all loggers. [email protected] Cliff is the third Logger of the Year from Minnesota in the past decade Julie Miles COMPEER.COM/TIMBER Associate Timber Specialist following Berthiaume Logging (844) 426-6733 and Hasbargen Logging as award (218) 290-2260 [email protected] winners.

Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider. ©2019 All rights reserved. W W W

6 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 After some fits and starts in the funding process we were able to protect funding for county forest road maintenance and private forestry assistance which were targeted for elimination or cuts at various points in the Session. We were also able to get a $4.5 million increase for the DNR Division Forestry’s timber sale and forestry programs. One disappointment was the Legislature’s failure to help the loggers and other businesses who were harmed by the previous legislative action that closed Benson Power. While those were some of the highlights, there were nearly thirty items that required our attention during the Session.

W W W Mark your calendars now for the North Star Expo which will be held September 13 & 14 in Grand Rapids at the Itasca County Fairgrounds. The Expo Committee and our staff are working hard and we are certain to have another great show.

W W W Congratulations to the DNR’s Jon Drimel who has been named Timber Program Supervisor for the Division of Forestry. Jon and his family will be moving from Bemidji to St. Paul for his new job. This is a very important position and we look forward to working with Jon in his new role.

W W W We talk a lot about forest management, forest health and the need to be good stewards of the forest. The importance of these issues is painfully evident in British Columbia. Recent reports show the forest and the forest industry crashing in what has been one of the WHEN DOING world’s great timber regions. Another dozen sawmill closures have been announced and Norbord also WHAT’S RIGHT IS JUST recently announced the indefinite closure of their 100 Mile House OSB plant in the Province. It’s a simple but sad story. The Mountain Pine GOOD Beetle came through devastating the forests. Very little was done to address this pest. This has caused BUSINESS. a severe shortage of merchantable wood which has driven the price of wood to levels that made the mills economically non-viable. No forest is a picture. No forest can be maintained We have an attorney for you. in a static condition. All forests grow, can provide products, economic opportunity, recreation and wildlife habitats. Forest also get old and, hopefully, the new BUSINESS/CORPORATE LAW forest grows under sound management. ° ° Let the devastation of British Columbia’s forests and ›› John Gasele ›› Robert Kanuit the jobs that depended upon them be a lesson to all. ›› Daniel Maddy ›› Paul Loraas

W W W As we move into summer please keep safety for you and your crew at the top of your priorities every day. You will never regret that injury that is prevented.

fryberger.com

Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 7 Member Feature...

Cliff Shermer of Shermer Logging in Gheen, MN (third from left) along with his wife Mary and two daughters is presented with a plaque and $1,000 check from STIHL for the National Outstanding Logger Award. Presenting the check is Tim O’Hara – FRA Government Affairs and Lake States Manager (left), Deb Hawkinson – FRA President (second from right), and Lee Alexander – FRA Chairman (right). Shermer Logging Named National Logger of the Year

Fernandina Beach, FL -- The he would donate the award to Log- officials and decision makers to Forest Resources Association and A-Load for Kids-Gillette Children’s improve forest management and the STIHL Incorporated honored Hospital, who had representatives business climate. Shermer Logging of Gheen, and presented at the annual meeting. “Without the efforts of the Minnesota as the National In accepting the award, Cliff Minnesota Timber Producers and Outstanding Logger at FRA’s Shermer first thanked the Minnesota Forest Industries, forest Annual Meeting in Fernandina company’s woods crew. management would look a lot Beach, Florida on May 21. “We wouldn’t be here tonight different in Minnesota.,” Shermer FRA chairman Lee Alexander without our talented and dedicated said. “Our forests are well- presented Cliff and Mary Shermer, workers,” he said. managed. We now have more acres, along with their family, a wooden Shermer also thanked the many more trees, and larger trees than we plaque and a $1,000 check from public land managers for their did 50 years ago.” STIHL incorporated recognizing the efforts in managing the forests, as Shermer also recognized the honor. Immediately upon receiving well as Minnesota’s forestry trade work of the Governor-appointed the check, Shermer announced that associations who work with elected Minnesota Forest Resources Council

8 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 that was created in 1995. “Twenty-five years ago the Council developed Statewide Forest Management Guidelines that the loggers implement during a timber harvest,” Shermer said. “These guidelines cover everything from road building, forest regeneration, riparian management, and wildlife habitat. The guidelines have raised the level of professionalism for the logging community.” In concluding his remarks, Shermer said, “Finally, the Lord has blessed me with an awesome family who have been there to pick me up when I’ve stumbled, encourage me when things are not so good, and celebrate the good times. “Thank you to my best friend and wife of 40 some years, Mary. I owe whatever success we’ve had to The crew of Shermer Logging (L-R): Rick Quaas, Troy Wood, Levi Shermer, Adam her love and understanding. And Luecken, Richard Luecken, Eric Gabrielson, Cliff Shermer, Keith Wallin, and thank you to our daughters Lisa and Jerry Wardas. Lindsey. It’s not easy growing up in a logging family.” with landowners, foresters, and to emulate.” Tim O’Hara, FRA’s Manager, wood buyers,” McCabe wrote. Cliff Shermer was born in Government Affairs and the Lake “He is sought after by private Nebraska, and after spending time States Region said, “Cliff and Mary landowners, he has an exceptional in Oregon, moved with his family Shermer are well deserving of the crew, he is innovative, and has a to Minnesota when he was nine- National Outstanding Logger of very positive attitude.” years-old. After graduating high the Year Recognition. Shermer Duluth logger Ashley Campbell school in 1968, he served four years Logging is known for working also wrote a letter of support for in the Navy, before returning to with family forest owners. Shermer Shermer’s nomination. Campbell Minnesota and finding work in a Logging’s employed forester works and her husband/business partner Twin Cities slaughterhouse. That’s with landowners to develop a Garret Campbell have consulted where he met his future wife and forest management plan to help with Shermer since they started business partner Mary, and by 1978 meet the landowner’s forestland their logging business. they’d moved back north to Gheen. management objectives. Cliff is “Cliff allowed me onsite to watch He started in the logging business highly spoken of by his colleagues his chipper run a few winters back,” working for Luecken Brothers and foresters in the State.” Ashley Campbell wrote. “I believe Logging during the winter months. The journey toward the National that not only is Cliff an excellent By 1984 the Shermers had bought Outstanding Logger award started logger, he is also an outstanding a slasher and worked for loggers in April 2018 when Shermer person in general. He has been there throughout the area. In 1990, the Logging was recognized as the from the beginning of my company, business had grown to the point that Minnesota Logger of the Year by always willing to listen and help me they had their first contract with the MN Sustainable Forest Initiative out, answering all the questions that the Potlatch oriented strand board Implementation Committee. That I had, and putting up with me when mill in nearby Cook. These days was followed by FRA’s Great Lakes we were first starting. Cliff manages the woods crew while Region Outstanding Logger honors “You couldn’t ask for a better Mary handles the bookkeeping, in September of last year. example of what logging should payroll, and runs the office. Duluth logger Tom McCabe was be,” Campbell concluded. Now 68, Cliff doesn’t anticipate among those nominating Shermer UPM Blandin forester Jim slowing down much. In a Timber for the Minnesota award. In his Berkeland also wrote a letter of Bulletin feature about his business nomination letter, McCabe— support for Shermer’s nomination, in July of 2018, Shermer said, “We Minnesota’s Logger of the Year in stating, “Their reputation is one of don’t want to retire. We like the 2007—cited Shermer’s excellent superior performance and ‘easy to business. The woods are pretty reputation and involvement in do business with.’ They are a ‘go-to’ peaceful. It’s a peaceful place to community activities, both around contractor when difficult jobs arise work and you get to see what you Gheen and in the state’s logging and routinely please all landowners accomplish. I drive around the community, including a position on and agencies they work with. They country once in a while and think, TPA’s board of directors, as well as are a very valuable asset to the wow we logged that. Maybe we can its Expo committee. forest products industry in this state last long enough so we can log it “He has a great ability to work and are a shining example for others one more time, you know?”

Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 9 Harry Fisher: 1937-2019

Over more than four decades block,” Fisher told The Timber working in Minnesota’s forest Bulletin in a 2004 profile. “It was products industry, Harry Fisher really rough country and rough saw it all, through various lenses: terrain and it was my job to organize lobbyist, mill wood buyer, logger. the company and to start logging In fact, he was one of the last loggers it. I organized North Shore Forest in the Boundary Waters Canoe Products and we proceeded to build Area Portal Zone. In addition, he roads and log in the portal zone.” helped write Minnesota’s Voluntary That’s when environmental Site Level Forest Management groups sued, touching off years Guidelines that are still in use today. of political and legal wrangling, And he’s a big reason why TPA’s with Fisher right in the middle of it North Star Expo has grown to be the every step of the way. Eventually, event it is today. Congress passed the BWCA Fisher passed away in May at the Wilderness Act, which ended age of 82. logging in the Boundary Waters A graduate of Denfeld High Portal Zone. School in Duluth, Fisher earned During this time, Fisher became a degree in forestry from the heavily involved with TPA, chairing Harry Fisher 1937-2019 University of Minnesota in 1960. the organization’s Mechanization His first job out of college was at Committee, which oversaw the Fisher said in the 2004 interview, the University’s Cloquet Forestry North Star Expo. At the time “then I started working with other Center. From there, he moved to the Expo was a one-day event at loggers who didn’t want to get Effie to work for the Minnesota Cloquet’s Buffalo House, but Fisher involved in the environmental and Ontario Paper Company, and envisioned a bigger two-day event programs. They wanted to cut trees, then to Grand Marais to work that would move around the region, and so I would organize markets, I for Northern Wood Preservers, and that’s what the Expo became. would find timber, and that’s what headquartered in Thunder Bay. It Fisher eventually took a job at developed the new North Shore was there that he was in charge Potlatch in Cloquet, managing Forest Products company. We of a 100,000 cord timber sale the 300,000 acres of land, and eventually formed alliances and relationships company had purchased from the becoming Woodlands Manager, (with loggers). My part of that U.S. Forest Service through a third before going back to the company responsibility was to have a supply party agreement, entirely in the he started, North Shore Forest of timber, winter and summer. “portal zone” of the BWCA. Products. Their responsibility was to cut, “It was called the East Tofte “I started investing in timber,” skid, and haul it. I would get the markets. You know, total logging in my book started when you bought a timber sale until you delivered it. I would lay the timber sale out, lay Protection, Performance and Peace of Mind. out the roads, help build roads, do whatever you had to do to get the job done. It was a partnership.” We are staffed to provide the following endorsed programs for members of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association: At the same time, Fisher began a relationship with St. Louis County as a contract lobbyist, working EMPLOYEE BENEFITS closely with TPA’s Wayne Brandt on Group Health Insurance • Group Dental Insurance a variety of issues, most notably the Insurance Section 125 Plans • Group Life Insurance forestry exemption in the Wetlands Conservation Act. Harry also served on the committee that wrote Let Otis-Magie Help You Get There. the Forest Management Guidelines, still in use today. “The dinosaur in me says, ‘why Daniel J. Zobel CIC do we need all this B.S. when Certified Insurance Councilor we’re already doing a good job,” Duluth / 332 West Superior Street, Suite 700 Fisher said in the 2004 Timber 218.722.7753 -or- 1.800.241.2425 Bulletin article. “The reason we www.otismagie.com needed it was to maybe head off some of the more intensive

10 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 guidelines that could have passed with fondness. decisions, but everyone does when through legislation.” “I was lucky,” he said. “Things you’re making decisions. And so, I By 2004, Fisher was ready to worked out well, and I made some guess I just made more good ones retire. He spent his remaining years good decisions. I made some bad than bad ones.” travelling the world, particularly via train, which he loved. And, he continued to swing by the TPA offices to stay in touch with Brandt and discuss the day’s industry issues. When Fisher retired in 2004, he told The Timber Bulletin he looked back on his 45 years in the industry

Fisher was one of the last loggers in the BWCA Portal Zone and kept a souvenir in his Duluth home of his work there: a temporary sign from a road his company built. “That was the sign that was on the road when we entered the Boundary Waters,” Fisher told the Timber Bulletin in 2004. “And what it was is this road was built for the removal of timber and was not open for public use.” The photo Harry Fisher in 1974 first appeared in the July/August 2004 issue of The Timber Bulletin.

Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 11 Legislative Re-cap Lawmakers Clarify 5% Tolerance Year Round Tolerance for haulers with raw forest products permit among provisions approved during 2019 Session

• Language was added that requires the DNR to Governor Tim Walz signed into compensate the Permanent law the Omnibus Transportation School Trust Fund if bill, which included a provision management decisions clarifying that log truck drivers diminish revenues to the Trust. with a Raw Forest Products permit This expands the previous get a 5% overweight tolerance year requirement which was limited round. The provision goes into to management decisions that effect July 1st. prohibit revenue generation. In The clarification was necessary addition, language was passed because of a 2018 re-interpretation that specified the types of of statute which said the 5% compensation required when tolerance was only valid during DNR management restrictions the period of winter load increases, diminish or prohibit revenue rather than all year. A 2008 State generation on Permanent Patrol memo had spelled out the the 2008 memo to show that the School Trust Fund lands. The “all year” interpretation. legislation merely clarified an forms of compensation include This year’s clarification does interpretation of statute that had leases, condemnation and sale not change the maximum weight previously been applied. and land exchanges. in statute, which remains 90,000 The efforts of Sen. Jason Rarick • A provision passed clarifying pounds on six axles with the raw (R-Pine City) and Sen. Dave that a person may remove a forest products permit, with an Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm) were beaver dam on property that increase to 99,000 pounds during also critical in getting the provision they own, occupy or manage winter load increases. The tolerance passed by the legislature. with certain restrictions. only means drivers with the permit In other happenings during the • The special products permit can’t be ticketed and fined road side 2019 Legislative Session: and route was expanded until the load exceeds 94,500 pounds • DNR Division of Forestry to apply to finished forest (103,950 pounds in the winter). Funding specifically to support products and to include all of Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL- timber sales from the Forest Highway 53. International Falls) was the chief Management Investment •A provision clarifying that trucks author of the bill in the House, Account (FMIA) was increased with the special forest products using language developed by TPA’s as follows: (six axle) permit may operate Wayne Brandt. TPA staff also held ° FY ’20 on Interstate 35 from Highway meetings with representatives of the ▪ $1,000,000 210 to its northern terminus State Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle ° FY ’21 passed. This brings state Enforcement Division and MnDOT, ▪ $1,000,000 statute into agreement with as well as House Transportation ° Total the federal law allowing extra Committee Chair Frank Hornstein ▪ $2,000,000 weight on this stretch of I-35 (DFL-Minneapolis) and other House When combined with a that passed in 2015. and Senate members. In addition, variety of other funding • Efforts to create a new carbon TPA communicated with groups mechanisms, the total increase free standard were not passed. representing the state’s counties in appropriations for the No other legislation that would and townships, as well as other Division of Forestry for the next increase energy costs was passed. stakeholders on an ongoing basis biennium is $4,451,000. • Legislation to compensate throughout the session. • The Minnesota Forest businesses harmed by the Opposition to the 5% tolerance Resources Council’s base legislatively directed closure of developed from groups who viewed budget ($820,000) is increased Benson Power did not pass. the provision as an expansion by $16,000 in FY ’20 and $27,000 • A proposed gasoline tax of legal weights. TPA staff used in FY ’21. increase did not pass.

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Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 13

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Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 15 Sappi completes $25 million expansion

In May, Sappi North America, configurations. The legislation also recognizes the best Technical Inc., announced the completion of has environmental benefits as less Release published and posted on a $25 million capital investment fuel would be used due to reduced FRA’s website. at its Cloquet mill to debottleneck braking and stopping on interstate Professor Russell’s technical areas of the pulp manufacturing routes. release provided a process by which process. The bulk of the investment “Logging businesses and the forest product companies can was made in the recovery areas of forest products industry value the statistically assess wood delivery the pulp mill. safety of their workers. This access scale-in and scale-out times (wait “We are pleased that this to the interstate will allow trucks to times). The results of the analysis investment brings an additional avoid interactions with pedestrians, presented in the FRA technical 30,000 tons per year of pulp school districts, urban areas, release would allow wood receiving production capability to better serve intersections, driveways, and on- mills to calculate expected wait our dissolving coming traffic,” said FRA President times based on the number of daily wood pulp Hawkinson. truck deliveries received. customers,” The Safe Routes Act was “The information provided said Mike introduced in the Senate by Sen. in the technical release allows Timber Schultz, Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) and in mills to identify efficiencies and Managing the House by Rep. Mike Gallagher bottlenecks in the wood delivery Director, Sappi (R-Wisconsin). The bill would have process. Improvements in these Talk Cloquet Mill. to pass both the U.S. Senate and U.S. two areas are important for the House and signed by the President supply chain to efficiently move before becoming law. fiber from the woods to the mill,” Safe Routes Act of 2019 Currently in Minnesota, the only Said Tim O’Hara, FRA’s Manager, Introduced in Congress stretch of interstate highway where Government Affairs and Lake States the increased weight under the raw Region. forest products permit is legal is on Matt Russell is an Associate A provision that would allow I-35 between London Road, south to Professor and Extension Specialist log trucks to haul on the nation’s Highway 210 in Carlton. with the University of Minnesota’s interstate system at increased Department of Forest Resources. weight was introduced into both He conducts research, teaching, and U’s Matt Russell outreach on issues related to forest houses of Congress in May. Recognized by FRA for Spearheaded by the Forest ecosystem health in Minnesota and Resources Association (FRA), Technical Writing beyond. His research emphasizes the proposed legislation would how changing environmental allow trucks transporting raw conditions impact the structure and forest products access to the safer The Forest Resources Association function of forests. In his Extension interstate up to 150 air miles (FRA) honored Matt Russell of work, he works with private forest from the timber harvest site to a the University of Minnesota, with landowners and natural resource storage or mill location at state its National Technical Writing professionals to sustain healthy and legal truck weight limits and Award for 2019. This annual award productive forests in Minnesota.

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16 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 Norbord Announces year-old drivers to participate in Richard Filipiak Curtailment at Canadian this pilot, if they: 1944-2019 • Have received heavy-vehicle OSB Mill driver training and experience while in military service, • Carry a designated MOS or job Richard John Filipiak passed In June, Norbord Inc. announced rating approved for this Pilot, away June 5th surrounded by its intention to indefinitely curtail and family at Essentia Health-Deer production at its oriented strand • Are sponsored (hired) by a River Hospital. board (OSB) mill in 100 Mile House, participating motor carrier. Richard was born in 1944 to British Columbia starting in August. As part of this pilot program, Lucy and Florian Filipiak in Moose The Cariboo region in which the FMCSA will compare safety Lake. He graduated from Moose Company’s 100 Mile House mill is records of the study group’s Lake High School and joined the located has been under mounting participating drivers to records U.S. Navy. After his discharge, wood supply pressure for the past from a control group of comparable he returned to Moose Lake and decade as a result of the mountain size, comprised of drivers 21-24 drove truck and logged with his pine beetle epidemic. This challenge who have a commercial driver’s dad. Richard moved to Aurora for has been more recently exacerbated licenses and comparable training three years. In 1970, Richard moved by the significant wildfires that and experience driving commercial to Grand Rapids, MN. There, he the province of British Columbia trucks. owned and operated a logging experienced in the summers of both The program will enhance business with his brother Bill, until 2017 and 2018. The resulting wood opportunities for drivers with his retirement in 2010. supply shortage and high wood relevant military training to enter Richard enjoyed having a beer prices do not support the economic the trucking industry. with family and friends, gardening, operation of the mill at this time. While many drivers in this age hunting, scuba diving and Norbord will continue to supply group drive trucks intrastate (within meticulously stacking firewood. its current customers and meet a single state), drivers younger expected future customer demand than 21 cannot currently drive with production from its 11 other in interstate (across state lines) operating North American OSB operations. mills, including in Solway. “This is a difficult decision in response to extraordinary circumstances,” said Peter Wijnbergen, Norbord’s President & CEO. “We have a first-rate team in 100 Mile House and this curtailment is in no way a reflection on our employees, their commitment to our customers and suppliers, or the local community.” The 100 Mile House mill has a stated annual production capacity of 440 million square feet (3/8- inch basis). Approximately 160 employees will be impacted by this curtailment.

Under 21 Military CDL Pilot Program

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is conducting a three-year pilot program to study the feasibility, benefits, and safety impacts of allowing 18-20 year-old drivers to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. This program will allow 18-20

Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 17 TimberBulletinJune2018.indd 1 6/6/2018 8:33:24 AM Mark Your Calendars: 66th Expo North Star Expo Slated for Rapids

With apologies to the State Fair, the “Great Minnesota Logging Get Together” is returning to the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids for its 2019 event. The 66th annual North Star Expo will again include the latest in logging equipment from all of the region’s top vendors. The year’s Expo dates are Friday and Saturday September 13 and 14. In addition to the latest and greatest from the industry’s manufacturers, the 2019 Expo will also feature the Future Forest Stewards event, with high schoolers from around the region traveling to the Expo to learn about logging, as Some of the Best Load entries from the 2018 North Star Expo. The 2019 event returns to the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids on September 13 and 14. well as the Expo’s evening reception at the Timberlake Lodge on Friday September 13, featuring a cash bar are beautiful and we love having another great North Star Expo.” and free hors d’oeuvres. McCoy the Expo there,” said TPA Expo For more information including Construction and Equipment will committee Chair Chad Lovdahl. for vendors, call the TPA office also sponsor Saturday morning’s “We look forward to bringing the at (218) 722-5013, or visit pancake breakfast again in 2019. various segments of the timber mntimberproducers.com and click “The Itasca County Fairgrounds industry to Grand Rapids for on the North Star Expo button.

18 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 Main Street, Rice, MN 56367 • Phone 320-393-2169 • Fax 320-393-2164 Contact: Jim or Al Voigt

Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 19 DNR & Patrol Presentations Highlight Annual Meeting

TPA ‘s Annual Meeting is traditionally a place where members can have access to information and presentations about Minnesota’s forest products industry they can’t get anywhere else, and the 2019 Annual Meeting didn’t disappoint. This year’s session at Sugar Lake Lodge featured TPA Executive Vice President Wayne Brandt’s annual Report on Association Activities, highlighting TPA’s efforts over the past 12 months. Also providing “insider information” to TPA members were Captain Jon Olsen and Sergeant Jeff Shay of the State Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle (L-R): Jim Scheff, Mike Warren, Corey Lovdahl, Brian Gulseth, and Mike Rieger Enforcement Division, as well as talk business during a break in TPA’s 2019 Membership Meeting. Craig Schmid and Doug Tillma of the Minnesota DNR’s Division of accomplishments of TPA staff over 2014. Schmid said the loss of all Forestry. All of the day’s presenters the 12 months, including details of of that institutional knowledge, as were also available for one-on-one the recently completed legislative well as relationships with the state’s visits following the meeting and session. Among the legislative logging force, has been difficult. during lunch. It was an excellent topics Brandt addressed were the “It’s been a lot of work, and we opportunity for TPA members to passage of the provision clarifying have a ways to go,” Schmid told share their thoughts with these the five-percent truck weight TPA members. “It’s a way different policy makers, as well as ask tolerance on the raw forest products work force than what we’re used to questions about various topics of permit, as well as various DNR working with.” interest. funding and policy provisions. A In addition, the DNR’s outgoing complete re-cap of these legislative Timber Sales Program Supervisor Annual Report of activities—as well as others— Doug Tillma shared a variety of Association Activities appears elsewhere in this issue of data pertaining to state timber sales, In this yearly presentation, The Timber Bulletin. including annual timber volumes Brandt highlighted activities and Brandt also reviewed other TPA offered, harvested, and scaled, as activities throughout the past twelve months, including meetings with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue (whose cabinet department oversees the U.S. Forest Service), Agriculture Under Secretary Jim Hubbard, new Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, and others at all levels of government. Featured Speakers TPA members had a chance to hear from DNR Division of Forestry Deputy Director Craig Schmid address a variety of topics, including the challenges of having dozens of veteran foresters The Minnesota DNR’s Doug Tillma retire over the last few years, and shares data with TPA members TPA Executive Vice President Wayne about state timber sales, annual Brandt kicks off the TPA Membership effectively replacing them. As a result, the DNR has hired 150 new volumes, targets, average pricing, and meeting with his annual Report on answered questions about timber sale Association Activities. foresters and forestry techs since administration.

20 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 Captain Jon Olsen (left) and Sergeant Jeff Shay of the TPA’s Executive Committee looks on as Minnesota DNR Minnesota State Patrol’s Commerical Vehicle Enforcement Division of Forestry Deputy Director Craig Schmid (right) Division answer questions from TPA members about discusses a variety of topics at TPA’s Annual Membership current law and enforcement issues. Meeting. well as current average costs per questions on a variety of and health cards. The legislation cord for various species. enforcement issues. They were clarifying the raw forest products Both Tillma and Schmid answered accompanied by Sgt. Jeff Smith permit tolerance was discussed questions from meeting attendees and Lt. Darren Juntunen. as well. Olsen, Shay, Smith, and on various DNR-related topics. Among the topics addressed Juntunen all remained through Capt. Jon Olsen and Sgt. Jeff were current enforcement issues, the lunch hour, affording TPA Shay of the Minnesota State and regulations surrounding the members to ask questions on a Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle requirements for log haulers to one-on-one basis. Enforcement Division answered have commercial driver’s licenses

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Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 21 Beardsley Keynotes TPA Banquet After an afternoon of golf and marathons, and his struggles with fishing, TPA members returned to pain medication. Sugar Lake Lodge for the Annual In his keynote address to TPA Meeting Banquet, highlighted by members, Beardsley said there keynote speaker Dick Beardsley. are four keys to meeting and A two-time champion at overcoming challenges. Grandma’s Marathon, Beardsley “Wake up with a smile on your might be most famous for dueling face, enthusiasm in your voice, then-world record holder Alberto joy in your heart, and faith in Salazar in the 1982 Boston your soul.” Marathon. Injuries eventually “Dick’s message was very forced Beardsley’s retirement powerful,” one banquet attendee from competitive running. Today said of Beardsley’s presentation. he owns a fishing guide service “I’d had a rough stretch, but his in Bemidji, as well as owns and positivity was infectious. It was operates the Lake Bemidji Bed just the message I needed to and Breakfast with his wife Jill. hear.” Beardsley also travels the world Beardsley is co-author of a US Marathon legend Dick Beardsley speaking to corporate groups book, “Staying the Course: A was the keynote speaker at TPA’s about his running exploits, as Runner’s Toughest Race.” To Annual Meeting Banquet, discussing well as the challenges presented order, visit www.dickbeardsley. not only his running successes, but by numerous injuries he suffered com/books.html also overcoming injuries and other both in and out of the world of medical issues he’s endured.

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22 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 TPA Safety Awards

Over the past year, TPA members again showed Trucking Division their leadership in safety issues through the annual TPA • Berthiaume Logging, Cloquet Safety Contest. Each quarter, members report whether • Christensen Forest Products, Pine River they had lost-time accidents, and at each Annual • Dean & Bob Walsh Logging, Park Rapids Membership meeting, those who remained accident • Erickson Timber Products, Baudette free over the previous 12-months receive plaques for • Johnson Logging, Cannon Falls their company’s achievement. The following is a list of • Junker Logging, Littlefork TPA members with no lost-time accidents from April • Kimball’s Logging, Park Rapids 2018 through March of this year: • Lake Nebagamon Trucking, Lake Nebagamon, WI Logging Division • Lundberg Forest Products, Solway • Berthiaume Logging, LLC, Cloquet • Mannco Trucking, International Falls • C&M Walsh Logging, Inc., Park Rapids • Palmer Logging, Barnum • Dean and Bob Walsh Logging, Inc., Park Rapids • Pittack Logging, Bovey • Erickson Timber Products, Baudette • Tim Kelm Logging, Bemidji • Two Inlets Mill & Bldg. Supply, Park Rapids • Johnson Logging, Cannon Falls • Junker Logging, Littlefork • Kimball’s Logging, Park Rapids Sawmill Division • Lundberg Forest Products, Solway • Cass Forest Products, Cass Lake • Palmer Logging, Barnum • Christensen Forest Products, Pine River • Pittack Logging, Bovey • Johnson Logging, Cannon Falls • Rieger Logging, Northome • Land O Lakes Wood Preserving, Tenstrike • Simcoe & Habisch Logging, McGrath • Two Inlets Mill & Bldg. Supply, Park Rapids • Tim Kelm Logging, Bemidji

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Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 23 TPA Members Golf and Fish

Sunny skies and warm temperatures were perfect for an afternoon of golf on Sugarbrooke Golf Course or fishing on either Sugar Lake or Lake Polegama for TPA members and other industry insiders.

Jerry Demenge won the fishing event’s “Big Walter” award for the largest fish of the day with this 30 inch Northern. Ashley Campbell and keynote speaker Dick Beardsley show off their catches on Sugar Lake.

David Gerbracht (left) and Rod Gerbracht (right) of Gerbracht Logging enjoyed an afternoon on Sugarbrooke Golf Course with Brian Durfee and Rich Miska of McCoy Construction and Forestry.

Jake Kesanen of McCoy Construction and Forestry accepts congratulations from Brady Hasbargen after rolling in a birdie putt. Their team, including Ryan Schall of Titan Equipment and Kyra Hasbargen won the Foot Wedge Award for the lowest score of the day in the TPA Scramble.

(L-R): Kelly and Shelly Kimball with Jim LeRoy and Jay Eystad of Northern Capital Insurance on the golf course.

24 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 The Minnesota Timber Producers would like to thank the following Annual Meeting Sponsors:

Bell Timber Border State Bank Compeer Financial Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick P.A THANKHedstrom Lumber YOU Company Louisiana Pacific Corp. McCoy Construction & Forestry Mid-States Equipment THANKMinnesota ForestYOU Industries Minnesota Power MN SFI® Implementation Committee THANKNorbord YOU Northern Capital Insurance Group Northern Timberline Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) THANKPotlatchDeltic Land YOU & Lumber LLC Prairie Trailer RDO Vermeer THANKSappi North America YOU Savanna Pallets UPM Blandin Paper Co. THANKZiegler CAT YOU Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 25 2018, including birch, maple, red sale were purchased. pine, jack pine, black spruce, and Carlton County balsam, when compared to the May 9—Oral Auction On the Markets previous year. The only species that Aspen $27.55 NA saw price increases were cedar and Nrthn Hrdwds $12.00 NA white pine. Balsam Fir $10.00 NA The Timber Bulletin publishes The entire report can be found at: information regarding results of a http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/ 6 of the 7 tracts offered during the sampling of recent timber sales and forestry/timber_sales/stumpage/ sale were purchased. other market indicators, as well as stumpage-review-report-2018.pdf DNR—Cloquet Area other market-related news items. May 9—Oral Auction Recent Timber Sales Aspen Species Average Aspen Price Average prices, as reported (PB) $23.62 $22.00 From Public Agencies by each agency Paper Birch (PB) $18.70 $15.71 Fell in 2018 Agency Regular Intermediate Cass County 9 of the 18 tracts offered during the April 25—Oral Auction sale were purchased. The average price of aspen sold Aspen $31.53 $43.47 St. Louis County by public agencies in Minnesota Birch $18.08 $22.68 May 9—Oral Auction fell 8.9 percent in 2018 from the Red Pine P&B $48.00 $20.00 Aspen $31.89 NA previous year, according to the Basswood $21.44 $21.68 Birch $ 9.52 NA 2018 Minnesota Public Agencies All 8 tracts offered during the sale Black Spruce $26.74 NA Stumpage Price Review and Price were purchased. Balsam $17.91 NA Indices, compiled by the Minnesota Clearwater County Red Maple $ 4.21 NA DNR. April 25—Oral Auction 28 of the 31 tracts offered during the The annual report aggregates Aspen Pulp $28.84 NA sale were purchased. stumpage prices of all species sold Oak Pulp $15.76 NA by public agencies in the state, DNR—Park Rapids Area Basswood Pulp $ 7.28 NA May 14—Oral Auction including the DNR, county land Maple Pulp $10.64 NA departments, and the Chippewa Trembling and Superior National Forests. All 6 tracts offered during the sale Aspen (PB) $38.49 $32.01 According to the report, the were purchased. Nrthrn Hrdwds average price of aspen purchased Koochiching County (PB) $19.27 $24.06 from public agencies was $32.20 per May 2—Oral Auction Pine Species cord in 2018, down from an average Aspen P/B $33.10 $31.73 (WMP) $39.56 $45.72 of $35.36 in 2017, a decrease of $3.16 Spruce P/B $21.91 $26.65 Aspen Species per cord (8.9 percent). Balsam P/B $ 8.24 $ 9.33 (PB) $26.71 $35.51 The report indicated purchased Norway Pine 31 of the 34 tracts offered during the prices on public ownerships for P/B $44.28 $51.31 sale were purchased. most every species declined in 29 of the 30 tracts offered during the Pine County May 14—Oral Auction Aspen Pulp $36.04 NA Birch Pulp $18.44 NA Pine P/B $30.00 NA Maple Pulp $14.28 NA All 8 tracts offered during the sale were purchased. DNR—Aitkin Area May 20—Oral Auction Aspen Species (PW) $23.37 $24.80 Maple Species (BW) $12.51 $16.50 Norway Pine (WMP) $28.30 NA 17 of the 53 tracts offered during the sale were purchased. Aitkin County May 20—Oral Auction Aspen P&B $31.54 NA Minnesota hardwood cord production prices by species group, 2009-2018. (a) Maple P&B $ 9.02 NA a) Product categories: pulp & bolts and pulpwood only. Source: MN DNR

26 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 Red Pine P&B $55.24 NA DNR—Deer River Area Mixed Spruce Aspen Pulp $29.55 NA June 4—Oral Auction (PW) $16.69 $17.91 All 18 tracts offered during the sale Trembling Mixed Spruce were purchased. Aspen (PW) $35.28 $36.73 (PB) $26.22 $ 9.56 Aspen Species DNR—Sandstone Area 11 of the 19 tracts offered during the (PW) NA $36.25 May 22—Oral Auction sale were purchased. Norway Pine Aspen Species (PB) $24.40 $13.68 Products: (PW) $21.42 $26.84 Basswood (PB) NA $10.60 PB= Pulp and Bolts Pine Species WMP= Woodsrun mixed Products (WMP) $38.56 NA 17 of the 22 tracts offered during the WC= Woodsrun cordwood Maple Species sale were purchased. ST=Sawtimber (PW) $13.09 $16.40 DNR—Tower Area WST=Woodsrun Sawtimber 9 of the 23 tracts offered during the June 5–Oral Auction PW=Pulpwood sale were purchased. Aspen Species SLV=Sawlogs/Veneer (PW) $20.94 $26.94 DNR—Hibbing Area Trembling May 29—Oral Auction Aspen (PW) $20.00 $28.90 Trembling Mixed Spruce Aspen (PB) $32.06 $22.84 (PW) $17.00 $23.79 Black Spruce Balsam Fir (PW) NA $15.31 Paper Birch (PW) $14.20 $16.38 TRUSTED PRODUCTS. (PB) $14.56 NA 12 of the 22 tracts offered during the EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. Norway Pine sale were purchased. (WST) NA $63.42 Itasca County Balsam Fir June 7—Oral Auction (PW) $11.93 $14.40 Aspen $34.72 $34.17 16 of the 26 tracts offered during the Red Pine $48.24 $29.28 sale were purchased. Spruce $24.34 $23.95 DNR—Backus Area Jack Pine $40.17 $35.21 May 30—Oral Auction 37 of the 42 tracts offered during the Aspen Species sale were purchased. (PW) $35.15 $26.32 DNR—Baudette Area Don’t forget to call us for Paper Birch June 11—Oral Auction all of your hydraulic needs. (PB) $28.55 $20.53 Aspen Pine Species Species (PB) $18.19 $17.02 Everything you need, all in (PB) NA $18.70 Trembling one place. Oak Species Aspen (PB) $28.35 $23.50 (PB) $38.78 $24.88 Ash (PW) $ 6.76 $ 5.95 17 of the 21 tracts offered during the Balsam Fir sale were purchased. (PW) $13.00 $10.42 Cass County 23 of the 28 tracts offered during the May 30—Sealed Bid sale were purchased. Aspen $40.62 $41.38 Birch $25.39 $15.31 DNR—Bemidji Area June 12—Oral Auction All 5 tracts offered during the sale Aspen Species were purchased. (PW) $31.19 $30.04 DNR—Littlefork Area Aspen Species June 3—Oral Auction (WC) $34.39 $35.16 Aspen Species Norway Pine (PW) $23.03 $26.32 (PB) $47.17 $22.74 Mixed Spruce Ash (PB) $13.09 $11.96 CORPORATE OFFICE: (PW) $28.34 $18.05 Medford, WI · 715-748-5565 30 of the 39 tracts offered during the Balsam Fir sale were purchased. BRANCH OFFICE: (PW) $15.27 $21.18 Appleton, WI · 920-687-9750 Norway Pine DNR—Two Harbors Area (WST) $86.75 NA June 13—Oral Auction Trembling CHECK US OUT Black Spruce TODAY AT: (PW) $17.85 $32.47 Aspen (PW) $20.37 $25.97 Balsam Fir 26 of the 33 tracts offered during the MidStatesHydraulics.com (PW) $14.64 $12.31 sale were purchased.

Timber BulletinTimber May/June Bulletin 2019 27

LOGGERS OF THE PAST . . . LOGGERSSame OF THE PAST . Logs. . Scaled Many Times by J. C. Ryan This story is reprinted from an earlier Timber Bulletin–one of the first of “Buzz” SomeRyan’s ever-popular Logs contributions to these Scaled pages. The Bulletin will continue Many to Times reprint selected stories from the memories he recorded for us.–Editor by J. C. Ryan

Today, many purchasers of timber prod- usually at a river, on a lake or at a railroad The scaler’s job was not complete even ucts buy by weight or utilize consumer siding where logs were loaded on cars. when crews finished up, because he had to scaling instead of the old art of scaling, Sometimes logs were scaled as they were work an hour or so each night figuring up which seems to be passing into history loaded on sleighs in the woods, and often on his scale sheets. along with sleigh hauling and horse skid- skidways in the woods, if they were to be In some of the larger camps, there were ding. loaded logging operations. But as a rule, special shacks made for scalers; in others a Years ago, every camp of any size had its they were scaled on the landings as this was special desk in the office was available for log scaler and some of the larger camps where the sleighs all unloaded in one place. the scaler’s use. had two or three. Log scaling was the cold- Logs were scaled as they were rolled Some companies or jobbers set up a est work in the camps, and I can remember from the sleighs onto the skidways where small shack on the lake, river or log land- the log scaler dressed in an ankle-long, the scaler could examine the log for defects ing for the scaler to warm himself while he sheepskin-lined coat with upturned collar, as it rolled along the skids. The scaler waited for loads. But the log scaling job, at four-buckle felt overshoes and felt shoes, would have to walk from one end of the its best, was very cold work during the the heaviest wool pants and shirts and logs to the other in order to scale from the winter months. Summer scaling also had usually two or three pair of mitts that he small end of the log. its drawbacks, because sand flies and mos- would change as his fingers became cold. Many companies required numbering of quitos were always a problem. Log scaling has been done under many, logs; and in this case, the scaler held a Some logs were scaled several times if many conditions; but probably the worst yard-long stick with a crayon at the end to they were to be sold to a different company would be trying to scale decked logs on a mark the logs. He usually held the scale or put in by a contractor. Often a state and skidway, 20 ft. high, after sunlight hits the stick under his arm when it was not in use. company scaler worked in the landing logs and pitch ran out of the ends. A scaler Some companies used a scale book, as together if logs were from state lands. would go from side to side of the skidway, did the State of Minnesota. Others used a And nearly all mills scaled logs as they checking the butts and tops and climbing card system. These cards fitted into a came up the “bull chain” – usually small over the pitch, which stuck to his hands frame with a handle, and that was easier end first. and scale stick. After that and the mosqui- to handle than the scale book. Each card Many logs were scaled at the sorting tos and flies, both scaler and his scale book was numbered and dated with the camp works on the rivers. There, logs were were usually a mess. number or location, and each card had scaled with a caliper instead of a scale Scaling was done mostly on the landing, room for recording 100 logs. rule. Logs also were scaled as they were

18 28 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 hoisted out of the water and loaded on the company scalers favored the company I have known many good scalers over cars. that bought the logs, so on many contracts the years, but some that stand out in my Most companies had “check scalers” that where logs were bought on scale, the scal- memories were Henry Phalen, M&I Rail- came around about once in two weeks to ing would be done by a surveyor general road scaler from Bemidji; John and Ed check the scalers. A check scale usually scaler. Achenbach of Bemidji; Clyde Johnson of consisted of a double scale of 200 logs. It The different scale rules – the Minne- Big Falls; and Chris Holm, William Mac- took many years experience to be a good sota Standard Rule, Wisconsin Dismal C Gregor, Dan McCloud and Hank McGugin scaler. and Doyle Rule were used in Minnesota – of Cloquet. These all were log scalers of the Jobbers and contractors always figured also brought some criticism to the scaler. first degree and masters of a lost art.

Above: Thousands of cords of pulpwood await spring thaw along the Littlefork River.

Right: Log marks were as important to early loggers as brands were to western cattlemen. These are some of the marks used by major companies during early days of logging in Minnesota.

Below: A scene from Minnesota’s last big log drive in 1937 on the Littlefork River.

19 Timber Bulletin May/June 2019 29 ADVERTISERS INDEX Cass Forest Products...... 30 Compeer...... 6 Don Dens Sales...... 22 Classifieds Duluth Sign...... 7 Fryberger Law Firm...... 7 To serve our readers better, the Timber Great Lakes Trailers...... 18 Bulletin offers free classified ads of Green Forest Products...... 24 Hancock Fabrication Inc...... 30 up to 85 words to all members and Hedstrom Lumber Co...... 14 associate members of the Minnesota Klinner Insurance...... 16 Timber Producers Association. All ads McCoy Construction & Forestry...... 31 Mid-States Equipment...... 27 must be submitted in writing to the Nelson Wood Shims...... 5 Association office. The MTPA assumes Northern Capital ...... 21 no responsibility for ad contents and Northern Timberline Equipment...... 11 accepts free ads on a first-come, first- Otis-Magie Insurance Agency...... 10 Pomp’s Tire...... 5 served basis within space limitations. Rice Blacksmith Saw & Machine...... 19 ______Rihm Kenworth...... 17 ______HELP WANTED Schaefer Enterprises...... 14 Titan Machinery...... 13 Truck driver, full time, year Wallingford’s...... 23, 32 around, hauling tree-length wood Ziegler...... 15 in Southeast Texas, experience preferred. 409-489-0113 ______WANTED Barrel stave logs – White Oak and BOX 1008 • CASS LAKE, MN 56633 • 218-335-2694 Burr Oak butt cuts 12-inch diameter www.cassforest.com and up – random lengths For more information call Robert Staggemeier at Buying Fresh Logs: Red and White Pine Staggemeyer Stave Co. Inc. Caledonia, MN 55921 Pine Bolts: Jack, Red and White Office: 507-724-3395 Cell: 608-792-75983 For Specifications Call 218-335-2694

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TERRATL85 MULTI-TERRAIN GSG ATF SUPERGRIP WHEEL TRACK ALL-TERRAIN FLOTATION

UNIQUE PATENTED DESIGN

• Maximum contact area CX FX • Specially designed side flanges inhibit link twisting CLIMBING XTREME HEAVY DUTY MULTI-TERRAIN • Less maintenance and downtime as less C-Link Haggis Link re-tensioning and adjustments are required • Bearing surfaces matched • Protects C-Link from premature wear • Reduced contact pressure Large contact area; Reduced pressure • Reduced wear

Clark Tracks are marketed in North America exclusively by Wallingford's Inc. Call or visit Wallingfords online to learn more. 800-323-3708 | clarktracksusa.com