Would it grow here?

[Andrew Reckhart]

I live in North Western PA. I have a sizeable piece of property that was recently logged off, and I'm looking for a good species to replant about 15 acres. I would love to plant Red Spruce, but I'm unsure of how well it would grow (if at all) in this area. Would it do well? How would I go about acquiting the pre-started trees? I'd love to leave a small forest of Red Spruce so that my grandkids can have Red Spruce tops on their Gibsons and Martins!

[Spruce]

What elevation are you at, Andrew?

What were the species that were logged?

I've seen usable Red Spruce growing among hardwoods in Vermont and West Virginia, so it might be possible to cultivate them...

Red Spruce is the only spruce, by the way, that I've seen guitar tops cut from second growth timber. #It would be unthinkable to grow Sitka or Engelmann and expect to grow wood with old growth characteristics...
It usually is very limby in second growth wood...

Another possibility is growing genetically selected maple trees with the fiddleback gene. #I've got a bunch growing here on the Left Coast.
That would be a nice thing to pass on to your grandkids...

[grsnovi]

I would get in touch with the local office of the US Forest Service and/or your USDA county agricultural agent to source seedling stock. Either/both would also be in a position to give you tips on the best species for local planting. They probably will deluge you with pamphlets.

[harwilli55]

Bruce,

Could you explain genetically selected maple trees with the fiddleback gene.

What is the fiddleback gene, and what does it do to enhance growth in the maple?

Harlan

[Andrew Reckhart]

Where would I be able to find the elevation? #I know that the property is the "Highest point in Mercer County". #It is definately the summit of the mountain, but as far as the actual ft. above sea level,I'm clueless! #There were a couple of species logged out, but I'm not really sure what they were. #I'm not really all that educated about timber, which is sad, I should learn. #I'm guessing that most of it was maple and oak. #I know that there is a sizeable stand of "Blue Spruce" on the property. #I don't know if the two types of spruce grow in the same types of climate and elevation. #

Why is secong generation timber less desirable for building instruments?

Please explain the "Fiddleback Maple". #What is it? #How do I find it? #Maybe I could grow both types on seperate properties and have the two types of wood needed to make magnificent mandos in a few decades!

[Rob Powell]

Hey Andrew,

If that means it's the highest part in The Alleghenys in the County, then you could probably do allright.

I know that down here in VA, the Skyline drive has a lot of Adirondack Red Spruce not to far up from the start of the drive but the elevation is above 5000 ft.

This is from a website:

"Habitat Well-drained soils in mountain forests, usually above 3,500 feet. Also can be found along the borders of streams, swamps, and bogs."

So, from that, it looks like it would grow just about anywhere!?!? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Although, most of what I have read says that it is mostly found in mountainous areas....

[harwilli55]

Geek,

Where are you in Va?

Harlan

PS, I would still like to know what the fiddleback maple is http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Spruce]

"Fiddleback" (AKA curly, tiger stripe, rippled) is a figure that occurs in a small percentage of maple trees, and is highly sought after for it's cosmestic beauty.

Look on the back of any high-end mandolin, and you're likely to see a nice chunk of fiddleback maple...

I'm almost positive it's caused by genetics, so therefore you can beat the odds and genetically clone your favorite fiddleback maple tree and grow hundreds of them on your hillside for your grandkids to reap the benifits of...

[Rob Powell]

Hey Harlan,

I'm in Reston but I grew up in Front Royal, right where the Skyline Drive begins. You in VA too?

--Rob

[Andrew Reckhart]

Oh so "Fiddle back" maple is the same as "Flamed Maple" or "Tiger Maple". Gotcha! I'm positive that Maple would grow well, my entire property has lots of it already.