Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Western Hemlock

(stamp size 4.5" x 3.5")

Out of the way-back machine comes this stamp that is long gone. Too bad, too, as it was perfect for our area. Carved for the State Trees swap - one of those big 4"x 6" swaps before LTCs caught on. It was then planted as a traditional for an event and then, sadly, vanished.
In 1946, an Oregon newspaper teased Washington for not having a state tree. The Portland Oregonian picked out the western hemlock for us, but Washington newspapers decided to choose their own and selected the popular western red cedar. State Representative George Adams of Mason County pleaded with the Legislature to adopt the western hemlock. The hemlock, he said, would become "the backbone of this state's forest industry." Adams' bill passed the Legislature and was signed into law in 1947.
Yes, they definitely are the ones with the floppy tops. *smile*

2 comments:

Mama Cache said...

I am so sorry that went missing -- what a beauty. If you ever felt like recarving, that would be so worth it.

[Testing my memory . . . do the hemlocks have the distinguishing floppy tops?]

Ari C'rona said...

I remember when you carved this cool stamp, my friend - so sad it's gone. :o/

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