. Bulletin - United States National Museum. Science. White cedar Black spruce Wood ~ spl i++inq +echniqijes of the proper wood was therefore a vital consideration. In most sections of the bark canoe area, the northern white cedar was the most sought-for wood for canoe construction. This timber had the excellent charac- teristic of splitting cleanly and readily when dry and well-seasoned. As a result, the Indian could cither utilize fallen timber of this species, windblown or torn up in spring floods; with the crude means avail- able he chould fell a suitable tree well in advance of his needs;
. Bulletin - United States National Museum. Science. White cedar Black spruce Wood ~ spl i++inq +echniqijes of the proper wood was therefore a vital consideration. In most sections of the bark canoe area, the northern white cedar was the most sought-for wood for canoe construction. This timber had the excellent charac- teristic of splitting cleanly and readily when dry and well-seasoned. As a result, the Indian could cither utilize fallen timber of this species, windblown or torn up in spring floods; with the crude means avail- able he chould fell a suitable tree well in advance of his needs; or he could girdle the tree so that it would die and season on the stump and then fell it at his convenience. If split properly, ribs of white cedar could be bent and set in shape by the use of hot water. In many areas the ribs, sheathing, and the gunwale members of bark canoes were made of this wood, as were also the headboards and stem pieces. Black spruce was also employed, as it too would split well, although only when green. This wood also required a different direction in splitting than the white cedar. Ribs of black spruce could be bent and set in shape when this was done while the wood was green. In some areas black spruce was used in place of white cedar for all parts of a bark canoe structure. Hard maple (usually either Acer saccharum Marsh, or A. nigrum Michx.), can be split rather easily while green; this wood was used for the crosspieces or thwarts that hold the gunwales apart and for paddles. Larch, particularly western larch [Larix occidentalis Nutt.), was used in some areas for canoe members. White and black ash (Fraxinus americana L. and F. nigra Marsh.), were also used where suitable wood of these species was available. In the northwest, spruce and various pines were employed, as was also willow (Salix). It should be noted that the use of many woods in bark canoe construction can be identified only in the period after steel tools became available; it must be a
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