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Appalachian Hardwoods - Slabs-Board Packs-Burls-Turning Blanks-Mantles-Gun Stocks & More
Appalachian Mountain Range
Blanketed by Hardwoods
When compared to the western mountain ranges of North America the one most important characteristic
that sets the Appalachians apart is the forest.There are few places in the Appalachian Mountains not covered
by trees. From Appalachian Hardwoods come some of the densest, highest figured trees a sawyer can wish for. Thanks to selective harvest rates the Appalachians will be around for decades to come. Most of the southern half of the mountain range was deforested in the early part of the 19th century when it took the proverbial act of congress and much smarter harvesting habits to get the Mountains to sustain. And sustain it has. Not only have we met forest growth limits of back in the day but we have exceeded them by 20% in some areas. Thanks to the regrowth of the forest the canopy and forest floor flourishes with wildlife year round.
Between the combination of high altitude and high latitude there lie a few small and widely scattered areas above timber line. This is where trees will not grow. Aside from that, the entire range of the Appalachian Mountains is cloaked in deep, thick, dense forest. To the north and at higher elevations a dark humid evergreen forest of Spruce and Fir blanket the mountains.Further south a more open broad leaf mix of Birch, Beech, Maples,Oaks and many other Hardwoods prevail. Also in the south lie the Balds, where mysteriously, huge open meadows cover summits that should be forested. These
rare places,plus some open summit ledges, are the true scenic gems of the Appalachian Mountains. If your a hiker,this could really bea place of interest for you!
that sets the Appalachians apart is the forest.There are few places in the Appalachian Mountains not covered
by trees. From Appalachian Hardwoods come some of the densest, highest figured trees a sawyer can wish for. Thanks to selective harvest rates the Appalachians will be around for decades to come. Most of the southern half of the mountain range was deforested in the early part of the 19th century when it took the proverbial act of congress and much smarter harvesting habits to get the Mountains to sustain. And sustain it has. Not only have we met forest growth limits of back in the day but we have exceeded them by 20% in some areas. Thanks to the regrowth of the forest the canopy and forest floor flourishes with wildlife year round.
Between the combination of high altitude and high latitude there lie a few small and widely scattered areas above timber line. This is where trees will not grow. Aside from that, the entire range of the Appalachian Mountains is cloaked in deep, thick, dense forest. To the north and at higher elevations a dark humid evergreen forest of Spruce and Fir blanket the mountains.Further south a more open broad leaf mix of Birch, Beech, Maples,Oaks and many other Hardwoods prevail. Also in the south lie the Balds, where mysteriously, huge open meadows cover summits that should be forested. These
rare places,plus some open summit ledges, are the true scenic gems of the Appalachian Mountains. If your a hiker,this could really bea place of interest for you!
The Trail
The quintessential Appalachian experience involves the Appalachian Trail. Over 2000 miles of hiking trail from Maine to Georgia, the worlds first and most famous long distance footpath. With the onslaught of spring hundreds of people start out at Springer Mountain in North Georgia and by fall
considerably fewer arrive at Mount Katahdin in Maine. The few die hard hikers that stick with it are rewarded not only with pleasant woodsy walking for several months, but become part of a fascinating subculture,a sort of linear new
age village. Individual through-hikers adopt nicknames and leave messages for one another at shelters.They also form hiking parties and share an increasingly beneficial comradary as Katahdin closes in.
It should be noted that despite the popularity of through hiking the "App Trail" is hardly the most scenic or spectacular place to spend several months in the mountains. Most of the
considerably fewer arrive at Mount Katahdin in Maine. The few die hard hikers that stick with it are rewarded not only with pleasant woodsy walking for several months, but become part of a fascinating subculture,a sort of linear new
age village. Individual through-hikers adopt nicknames and leave messages for one another at shelters.They also form hiking parties and share an increasingly beneficial comradary as Katahdin closes in.
It should be noted that despite the popularity of through hiking the "App Trail" is hardly the most scenic or spectacular place to spend several months in the mountains. Most of the
trail through the mid-atlantic states is said to be pretty boring. Even in the south and in New England many endless, forested,viewless miles of rocky trail can be a strain and disappointment if expectations have been set.
Although the Appalachian Trail does an excellent job of threading together the best of the Appalachians,some of the most spectacular peaks aren't even on "the trail". Grandfather Mountain, Old Rag, The Seneca Rocks, The Catskills, The Adirondacks, Mount Mansfield, and The Grand Monadnock are just a few. Of course,most through-hikers would argue the time spent hiking through hot and humid forests only makes the trails highlights, like Roan Mountain, Shanandoah National Park, The Presidentials, Mount Katahdin and many others seem that much better. A library could be filled with books that have been written about hiking "The Trail". Reading one book would tell you everything you need to know about this bizarre adventure unique only to the Appalachians...
Although the Appalachian Trail does an excellent job of threading together the best of the Appalachians,some of the most spectacular peaks aren't even on "the trail". Grandfather Mountain, Old Rag, The Seneca Rocks, The Catskills, The Adirondacks, Mount Mansfield, and The Grand Monadnock are just a few. Of course,most through-hikers would argue the time spent hiking through hot and humid forests only makes the trails highlights, like Roan Mountain, Shanandoah National Park, The Presidentials, Mount Katahdin and many others seem that much better. A library could be filled with books that have been written about hiking "The Trail". Reading one book would tell you everything you need to know about this bizarre adventure unique only to the Appalachians...
Over 2000 miles of Trail