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Speaking of Timbers - An illustrated vocabulary of selected terms to help you to understand logging lingo. This collection is not intended to be definitive, it is intended to educate and entertain.

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Stationary and mobiles A frames.
1950
Hatzic, Mission, British Columbia

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A-frame: A structure in the shape of an "A", made of logs (or steel). Most common use is at a dump site for unloading logging trucks. Less common use is to mount an A-frame and a yarder on a large log raft to yard logs from a sidehill into the body of water.

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Old beehive burner by Mission train bridge, no longer in use.
1970
Mission, British Columbia

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Bee Hive Burner: A large "incinerator" connected by a conveyor belt to a sawmill, was used to burn waste wood. These used to be a regular feature of mills around the province. Due to their proximity to waterways and roadways they were often used as landmarks in giving directions.

This burner is no longer in use. Bee hive burners are being phased out of use throughout the province of BC in favour of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

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Bucking: The act of sawing felled trees into measured lengths.

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Men out on logs on the Fraser River. These logs are inside a bullpen.
2 August 1947

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Bullpen: Enclosure where logs are dumped and held in the water for sorting.

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Bruce Ruddick operating a cat equipped with an arch for yarding.
1950
Stave Lake, Mission, British Columbia

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Suzanne and Craig Ruddick sitting on a logging arch.
1950
K. and B. Logging camp on Stave Lake

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Cat: Caterpillar tractor (bulldozer).

Cat-skinner: A tractor operator, usually a roadbuilder.

Arch: A steel frame behind a "cat" or wheel skidder to lift one end of logs off the ground for easier skidding. (see photos)

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Detailed view showing the caulks on the boot sole.
1940
Mission, British Columbia

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A pair of caulk boots.
1940
Mission, British Columbia

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Caulks: (pronounced corks) At one time these were steel nails driven into the soles of logging boots. Today they are threaded and replacable. Caulk boots help give loggers good traction on logs.