Couting Trees by Weight

Grading tables as described and illustrated by Tourney and Korstian2 are one of the postwar mechanical innovations used in the tree nurseries of New York State's Conservation Department. Such tables with moving belts permit indoor grading, culling, and counting during the shipping season, when the weather can be most uncomfortable. With additional equipment and personnel at the ends of these tables, trees can be tied and packaged for shipping. The first tables used were similar to those described and illustrated by Robbins.3 To facilitate tree counting the table belt was divided into sections numbered from 1 to 5 inclusive. Each of the ten counters, five on a side, was assigned a number; when a counter's number appeared in front of him he placed trees upon it. At first two trees were placed on each number; later five. Belt speed was adjusted so that each counter could consistently place the proper number of trees on his assigned number. The two collectors who picked up the trees at the end of the belts could then gather the correct count of 50 to 100 trees as desired for a single bundle. These bundles were placed untied on another moving belt which carried them to electric tiers. The tied bundles were further conveyed to the packing area where, at first, they were packed into wooden crates for storage or shipping.

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Author(s): E. J. Eliason

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Issue 54 (1962)