AT THE EDGE OF THE road there is a heap of about 200 spruce logs, each approximately 30 feet long, all felled by a recent, severe winter storm. It’s late spring, but the wood is still covered with a dusting of snow.

A middle-aged man on his knees, wearing hiking boots, jeans, and a waterproof jacket, is examining a section of one of the trunks, looking for mold or knots. He calls out to the operator of a crane, and asks him to turn the log so he can have a better look.