98,985 Acres

98,985 acres.  That's how much land the Wacovia Tract encompassed.  How do we (they) know that?  Because they had a land management dude with them!

Phillip Christian Gotlieb Reuter was appointed "Forester and Superintendent of Hunters."  I can think of a couple of sons and grandsons that would like to make that their life's work!!  (Come to think of it, there's a granddaughter that might be pretty interested in it, too!)  Today I think we'd just call them Forest Rangers, huh. 

Reuter's first assignment was to survey and patrol to preserve game and protect domestic livestock.  Later his job evolved into managing the forest itself. Wood back then was like oil is now - an absolute necessity for life!   Log homes clad with wood boards and roofed with wood shingles meant life and death.  Wood for fires to heat people and cook food were essential.  Bowls, kitchen utensils, plows, hay forks, and shovels made from wood were needed.

It took Reuter years to map out the Wacovia Tract, finally finishing in 1762.  His completed "great map" measured seven feet by nine feet and is currently located in the Moravian Archives in Old Salem.  This map shows geographical features, timber types found on the tract, stand density, and predominant tree species.  They became concerned about "clear cutting" as opposed to the "pick 'n choose" method of chopping down trees.

The collegium, or church/city fathers, authorized Reuter to identify which trees could be cut down and for what purpose each could be used:

White oak was the best construction timber (nine species of oak were identified) the rest were good for fuel;
Sugar Maple was good on a turning lathe, made good charcoal, and, of course, sap boiled down for sugar so you wouldn't want to cut them ALL down;
Yellow or "tulip" poplar provided good logs for boards;
Hickory wood was excellent for the millwright and for fuel;
Gum trees and Sassafras were used for their medicinal properties...

Stumpage fees were charged to citizens based on the species and tree trunk diameter a man wanted.

"In addition to producing scores of maps of the almost uncharted territory, Reuter compiled a list of 34 kinds of trees and shrubs, along with practical information about their usefulness.  He listed twelve fungi and seven types of stone.  He also described 36 birds, seven fish, nine snakes, 24 insects and creeping vermin and 11 species of flying vermin and insects."  He was a busy lil' fella!