Information AboutLumberjack |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT LUMBERJACK | |
| forestry occupations | |
| logging | |
| industrial workers of the world | |
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A lumberjack( US )/'''logger'''( UK ) is a Tradesman in the Logging industry, who performs the initial Harvest ing of Trees for Lumber and Pulpwood . The term is somewhat archaic, having been mostly replaced by ''logger''. When the term "lumberjack" is used, it usually refers to a logger from an earlier time before the advent of Chainsaw s, Feller-buncher s and other modern logging equipment. Other terms for the occupation include ''woodcutter'' (UK), and the colloquial term ''woodhick'' (Pennsylvania, US). HISTORIC Lumberjacks worked in lumber camps and often lived a migratory life, following timber harvesting jobs as they opened. Being a lumberjack was seasonal work. Men were the only people that could be lumberjacks. They usually lived in and the early 1960s as crews could by then be transported to remote logging sites in motor vehicles. The division of labor in lumber camps led to several specialized jobs on logging crews - such as whistle punk, chaser, and high climber. The whistle punk's job was to sound a whistle as a signal to the Yarder operator controlling the movement of logs and act as a safety lookout, and a good whistle punk had to be alert and think fast as the safety of the others depended on him. The high climber (also known as a tree topper) used iron climbing hooks and rope to ascend a tall tree in the landing area of the logging site, where he would chop off limbs as he climbed, chop off the top of the tree, and finally attach pulleys and rigging to the tree so it could be used as a Spar so logs could be skidded into the landing. High climbers and whistle punks were both phased out in the 1960s to early 1970s when portable steel towers replaced spar trees and radio equipment replaced steam whistles for communication. The chokersetters attached steel cables (or chokers) to downed logs so they could be dragged into the landing by the yarder. The chasers removed the chokers once the logs were at the landing. Chokersetters and chasers were often entry-level positions on logging crews, with more experienced loggers seeking to move up to more skill-intensive positions such as yarder operator and high climber, or supervisory positions such as hooktender. Despite the common perception that all loggers cut trees the actual felling and bucking of trees were also specialized job positions done by fallers and buckers. Fallers and buckers were once two separate job titles but are now combined. During the era before modern diesel or gasoline powered equipment, what machinery existed was steam-powered, and animal- or steam-powered Skidder s could be used to haul harvested logs to nearby Railroad s for shipment to Sawmill s. Another way for transporting logs to sawmills was to float them down a body of water, and the art of Log Rolling - staying on top of a floating log while "rolling" the log by walking - was another skill much in demand among lumberjacks. Spiked boots known as "caulks" or "corks" were used for log rolling and often worn by lumberjacks as their regular footwear. The term " Skid Row ", which today means a poor city neighborhood frequented by Homeless people, originated in a way in which harvested logs were once transported. Logs could be "skidded" down hills or along a Corduroy Road , and one such street in Seattle was named Skid Road. This street later became frequented by people down on their luck, and both the name and its meaning morphed into the modern term. Lumberjacks, especially in the Pacific Northwest, incorporated many terms from the Chinook Jargon into their language including such terms as " Skookum " (excellent or impressive), "muckeymuck" (executives or higher-ups), and "hooch" (liquor) which are still familiar today. Lumber camps were the sites of many militant labor disputes and Strike s during Unionization efforts in the early 20th century. THE MODERN LOGGER Modern technology has changed the job of the modern logger considerably. Although the basic task of harvesting trees is still the same, the machinery and tasks are no longer the same. Many of the old job specialties on logging crews are now obsolete. Chainsaws, Harvesters , and feller bunchers are now used to cut or fell trees. The tree is turned into logs by removing the limbs (delimbing) and cutting it into logs of optimal length (bucking). The felled tree or logs are moved from the stump to the landing. Ground vehicles such as a Skidder or Forwarder can pull, carry, or shovel the logs. Cable systems can pull logs to the landing. Logs can also be flown to the landing by Helicopter . Logs are commonly transported to the sawmill using Truck s. Harvesting methods may include Clearcutting or Selective Cutting . Concerns over Ecology have led to controversy about modern logging practices. A recent Wall Street Journal survey on the best jobs in the United States ended by listing being a logger as the "worst" job citing "work instability, poor income and pure Danger ." A Bureau Of Labor Statistics survey of [http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/26/pf/jobs_jeopardy/ America's most dangerous jobs put loggers at the top of the list for 2004. LOGGERSPORTS Modern lumberjacks are found in the exciting world of loggersports. Originally started as a competition in the old lumber camps to see who was the best lumberjack, today these competitions are used to keep old forestry and logging traditions alive. This is reflected in the events at these competitions. Many colleges have woodsmen teams or forestry clubs, which compete regionally, nationally, and internationally, while there are also professional competitions in which anyone can enter, along with the highly selective STIHL Timbersports Series which airs on TV. Events may include old-time logging skills such as Log Rolling and high-climbing. There are also lumberjack shows which tour the United States, demonstrating these old time lumber practices to the general public. Loggers rodeos are also held in some towns which demonstrate these events to the public. IN POPULAR CULTURE In popular culture the Cliché of a lumberjack is a strong, burly, usually Beard ed man who likes to brave the Natural Environment . He is depicted wearing Suspenders , a long-sleeved plaid Flannel Shirt , and heavy Boot s. He is often depicted as being very Hungry and eating a large stack of Flapjack s or Pancake s. He works by cutting down trees with either an axe or with the help of another lumberjack, a crosscut saw, as opposed to the modern chainsaw. The most famous depiction of a lumberjack in Folklore is Paul Bunyan . Several towns claim to have been the home of Paul Bunyan and have statues of Bunyan and his ox "Babe" in the town. Music In Monty Python , a popular skit is " The Lumberjack Song " known for its refrain "I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay / I sleep all night and I work all day". Johnny Cash recorded a song about lumberjacks titled "Lumberjack", which appeared on the '' Ride This Train '' album. "The Lumberjack" is a song by Jackyl . Books and films The 1964 novel and 1971 movie '' Sometimes A Great Notion '' are about a family of lumberjacks in Oregon. Maddox 's book '' The Alphabet Of Manliness '' lists the lumberjack as one of 26 examples of the pinnacle of manliness. The 1954 movie Seven Brides For Seven Brothers is a classic film musical about seven lumberjack brothers who, in the spirit of the Roman story of the The Rape Of The Sabine Women , decide to Kidnap Brides for themselves from the neighboring town. It contains one of the best dancing scenes in film history, the barn raising dance. Canadian artist William Kurelek wrote and illustrated a book called ''Lumberjack'' (1974) 0-88776-378-2 about his days working in a logging camp. Professional Wrestling In Professional Wrestling , a Lumberjack Match is a contest between two or more wrestlers where the outside of the ring area is surrounded by other grapplers. These performers are supposed to forcibly return to inside the ring wrestlers that leave the mat. School mascots The lumberjack is the Mascot of many schools and universities including: field's scoreboard at Richwood High School in Richwood, West Virginia.]]
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