When does a tree become a log?*

Cheryl's News from Camp Webegone 


*A tree that falls of its own volition is known as a downed tree.
A tree that is cut or sawn down is called a felled tree.

Downed or felled trees become logs when they are sawed into smaller sections.

Thanks to the Prospect librarian, who comes from many generations of loggers, for the answer to this question. 


About 9 PM, as I am putting away the outdoor kitchen, I hear the unmistakable crack, crackle, creak, crack sounds of a tree in the process of falling.  The noise is loud and close.

I freeze.

Looking up to scan the tree tops for movement, praying that I don't see any. Praying that the tree is not going to fall into our camp.

Big THUMP! The ground vibrates.

But, whew! It wasn't a tree near our camp. Still obviously somewhere close, though. Rich and I jump on our bikes and go in search of the downed tree, very much hoping all camps and campers are okay.

Everyone was. As it turned out, the tree fell across the road, I estimate about 200 yards from our camp. It didn't hit anything. The prevailing emotion of the campers is excitement mixed with relief that everyone is okay.

The next morning, I went out to examine the tree. And I discovered that the tree had broken off about 3' from its base, its core totally rotten. The culprit is a conk fungus. Our mushroom book does not include this particular species, so it remains unnamed for now.

Forest Service personnel aptly call it a “cow pie” conk.