The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Forestry and Logging => Topic started by: Howdy on March 22, 2010, 09:56:30 PM

Title: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Howdy on March 22, 2010, 09:56:30 PM
One of those things we just take for granted, but why and how did the custom of yelling "Timber" when falling trees start?
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Ernie on March 22, 2010, 10:02:19 PM
It's a lot more effective than yelling "Fish"
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: chevytaHOE5674 on March 22, 2010, 10:04:44 PM
I cut a lot of timber everyday and never yell anything. Make sure nobodies in my area and then let them rip.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Tom on March 22, 2010, 10:14:32 PM
Brother Dave tells a story of a little bird that couldn't say timber.  When his tree was cut down, he said, "Hom-me, Hom-me".
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Faron on March 22, 2010, 10:22:59 PM
They don't always do that.  Sometimes we yell  "Oh crap!"
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: footer on March 22, 2010, 10:26:24 PM
Why does a golfer yell "4" when they hit a ball?
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Tom on March 22, 2010, 10:52:34 PM
I looked that "fore" comment up just yesterday.  It comes from possibly several different places, one being the old British Artillery  saying when they fired behind friendly troops, "Beware before".   It meant "look ahead" or "heads up".   I would add, "look out!!"
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: tlandrum on March 22, 2010, 11:32:32 PM
sometimes i yell a few choice 4  letter words when tree is falling in an unintended direction
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: fishpharmer on March 22, 2010, 11:34:52 PM
Quote from: Ernie on March 22, 2010, 10:02:19 PM
It's a lot more effective than yelling "Fish"

You call? ;)

Well durnation, I knew I was doing something wrong.  ;D
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: arojay on March 23, 2010, 12:27:11 AM
A-hem,  where I come from the term 'lumberjack' has come to have a somewhat different meaning.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: captain_crunch on March 23, 2010, 12:37:59 AM
We yell across the hill(leaves more room for error) Belive Movie screne had more to do with this. But after logging for 20+ years you could listen to a saw(if you still could hear) and tell real close to what faller was up to so generally nothing was hollered unless it was I could sure use a BEER after that wreck
But my question is what the heck is a LUMBERJACK. We were Loggers and Lumberjack was a brand of syurp :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Bobus2003 on March 23, 2010, 12:40:30 AM
I don't yell anything and I don't tolerate anyone yelling anything while I am/they cutting.. I figure if theres yelling someone is hurt or something went wrong.. no point in yelling for no reason
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: chucker on March 23, 2010, 08:49:16 AM
" TIMBER "!!! was just a call for heads up when the woods were full of man and animal power to limit the accidents.........  a "LUMBERJACK " was a term name for a person that could do all job facets in the logging industery( a multy tasker)........
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Howdy on March 23, 2010, 11:27:52 AM
Thanks for the replies.  Yelling something when dropping a tree when the woods are full of workers and work animals sounds about right.  It does sound better to yell "Timber" than "Fish" or "Lookout" as it is a sound that will get some attention. 

Letting other loggers know when a tree is falling and to be on the lookout for flying branches or other displaced material is something that would be good in a crowded work setting.  Anyway, it's something I can tell the Mrs. and she will accept.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: chucker on March 23, 2010, 11:32:03 AM
lol !! glad to of been some help???  love the area your in!! lived just across the river from you in wash. long/kelso... nothing like the pnw woods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: DirtForester on March 23, 2010, 11:43:35 AM
Quote from: Ernie on March 22, 2010, 10:02:19 PM
It's a lot more effective than yelling "Fish"

;D :D
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Cedarman on March 23, 2010, 12:46:47 PM
The sounds of crosscut saws  sawing and axes chopping allow you to hear someone shouting.  Now with skidders blaring and chainsaws screeching you couldn't hear someone shout anyway.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Magicman on March 23, 2010, 02:31:02 PM
Power and Telephone Co. Linesmen yell "HEADACHE" when they drop something.  And it does NOT mean for you to look up.  It means to cover your head and get out of the way.

Many jobs have adopted "Danger Yells" to alert unsuspecting co-workers.......Thankfully.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: VTLogSlayer on March 23, 2010, 02:35:43 PM
Up here at Paul Smith's, we are told to have our last name on the back of your helmet in dark lettering, just incase you need to be yelled to get outta the way.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Tom on March 23, 2010, 02:42:18 PM
We holler "Dinner" here at the house, but with the all the skinny people downgrading the fat people today, that might be considered a yell of alarm by some.

The way the Government is taking over, we might have to find a closet, in which to hide, to eat supper.  :D
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Cedarman on March 23, 2010, 03:41:54 PM
"ROCK" is yelled when rock climbing or caving when something is dropped or dislodged from any height.  I have seen quite a few fall.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: JDeere on March 23, 2010, 08:06:40 PM
My brother went to school with a kid named Tim Burr. Don't know what ever became of him. Maybe he is a logger out West now.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: Mooseherder on March 23, 2010, 08:38:49 PM
Quote from: JDeere on March 23, 2010, 08:06:40 PM
My brother went to school with a kid named Tim Burr. Don't know what ever became of him. Maybe he is a logger out West now.

Did the Burr's go to School up North? ;D
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: JDeere on March 24, 2010, 07:21:04 PM
He went to high school in Central NH.
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: timberjack240 on March 24, 2010, 08:25:08 PM
we usually holler when were lookin for eah other thats more of a yoooooo were ya at. or when when sumthin goes wrong thats more of a @$!%%^%$^%^&#75  ;D or if things are crankin and rele goin good we hoot and holler jsut to keep in the swing of things kinda keep the mood up
Title: Re: Why do lumberjacks yell "Timber"
Post by: captain_crunch on March 25, 2010, 01:30:07 PM
Friend of mine use to yell <Last time around run for your life> What some guys want you to do is shut off saw before makeing back cut and yell a warning