Alligator Juniper Collecting Trip

At the last meeting I made an announcement that I had located some dead-standing alligator juniper trees in a burned area in the San Mateo Mts. South of Socorro and asked if anyone would like to help cut and collect some of it for the club as well as for personal use. Eleven people signed up and eventually we wound up with a crew of 8 with 4 pickups and my 4Runner. On the expedition were Mark Miller, Ray Davis, Greg Fryeweaver, Joe (Stretch) Cole, Don Skarin, Scott Eckstein, Bob Armstrong, and me. On Wednesday, August 20 we departed at 8 AM from the Presbyterian Hospital downtown parking lot going south on I-25. After a brief pit stop in Socorro, we drove about 35 miles south to the dirt road that leads to Springtime Campground. The road is 14 miles long and varies between washboard gravel and steep arroyo cuts through Nogal Canyon. All of us were able to make it through the rough spots, and we arrived in the area a little after 11 AM. After consulting the firewood cutting map, we decided to split up in 3 groups and look for some good trees to cut. We had 3 dead wood permits in the group and were allowed 2 cutters per permit. Others helped collect cut wood. We were limited to a maximum trunk diameter of 14” but we took wood of many sizes within the limit. We wound up with 4 pickup loads, and the wood looked to be in good condition without a lot of rot, splits, or insect damage. I checked a couple of logs when I got home, and they were at 9% moisture content. 

I want to thank the guys who bought the permits and gas, brought their equipment, great attitudes and collaborative spirit. We’re looking forward to seeing what club members can turn with this very special wood. Joe will be distributing the collected wood after the next few club meetings.