BOOK V
Of the Timber of various Trees and its Uses.
I. In like manner we must endeavour to speak of timber, saying of what nature is that of each tree, what is the right season for cutting it, which kinds are hard or easy to work, and anything else that belongs to such an enquiry.
Of the seasons of cutting.
[1]Now these are the right seasons for cutting timber:—for 'round' timber and that whose bark is to be stripped the time is when the tree is coming into leaf. For then the bark is easily stripped (which process they call 'peeling'[2]) because of the moisture which forms beneath it. At a later time it is hard to strip,[3] and the timber obtained is black and uncomely. However square logs can be cut after the time of peeling, since trimming with the axe removes the uncomeliness. In general any wood is at the best season as to strength when it has not merely ceased coming into leaf, but has even ripened its fruit; however on account of the bark-stripping it comes to pass that 'round' timber is in season[4] when it is cut before it is ripe, so that, as it happens, the seasons are here reversed. Moreover the wood
