1390 



AMERICAN I'ORES'J'RY 



(iiialitalive growth on cut-over lands is one of the most for each si)ccies, the hark of which is jieeled, in order to 

 important and urgent problems in American forestry is determine the exact limits of bark peeling season, 

 conceded by the most authoritative foresters. This is 

 one of the four major ])roblcms which the chairman of 

 the forestry committee in the Division of Biology and 

 Agriculture of the National Research Council recom- 

 mends as worthy of immediate and thorough considera- 

 tion. Heretofore, we have generally been instructed 

 that the height growth of the season cannot be accurately 



A thorough study of the growth of trees will also 

 furnish nmch-needed information to the legal profession. 

 .Many legal decisions concerning boundaries and titles 

 hinge on the (juestion whether each growth ring repre- 

 sents the growth of one season, or if fictitious rings arc 

 sometimes formetl. Ihe writer examined a large number 

 of Pitch Pines and Chestnut < );ik trees and found that 



ascertained until late in fall or during the winter months fictitious rings are regularly formed when a prolonged 



when the weather is rela- 

 tively unfavorable for field 

 work and the days rather 

 short. Consequently, it now 

 follows that since trees 

 actually cease growing in 

 height in May or June, no 

 reasonable exceptions can 

 henceforth be liled against 

 the collection of height 

 growth data immediately 

 after the cessation of 

 growth in summer. 



It should be understood, 

 however, that the problem 

 WPIEN 'l"REl':S CROW 

 is but a prelude to the 

 major problem, which is 

 far more com])rehensive, 

 and includes also a study 

 of diameter and volume 

 growth of the stem and the 

 growth of roots, all of 

 which should be under- 

 taken ; for the results de- 

 rived therefrom would l)e 

 of great economic v;due. 



A knowledge of WHEN 

 TREES GROW also aids 

 in the determination of the 

 best time to peel bark. Bark 

 can be peeled satisfactorily only when the sap is abundant 



THE OI.p AND TUIC iNKW 



.\'i)t an cvcrgrc-cii tree decorated with candles but a Titch Pine witli its 

 characteristic erect new growth. 



resting period occurs within 

 the growing season. Hence, 

 in some cases two rings 

 represent the growth of a 

 season, instead of one an- 

 nual ring. 



The problem — WHEN 

 TREES GROW' is not only 

 of technical interest and 

 economic value but might 

 be used as a means of de- 

 veloping real tree apprecia- 

 tion among the children of 

 our public schools. The 

 best soil in which to jilant 

 love for trees is the heart 

 of childhood and woman- 

 hood. The present lack of 

 a fuller appreciation and a 

 more compelling warmth 

 towards the out-of-doors in 

 \\hich we daily move and 

 often toil is largely due to 

 the kind of education prac- 

 ticed in the past and still 

 retained in a few ultra-con- 

 serxative comnumities. It 

 is pedagogically criminal to 

 instruct the boys and girls 

 of the United States con- 

 cerning the Eucalyptus trees 



of Australia, the l!ig Trees of California, the Yew 



and active. Briefly, the bark peeling season coincides trees of England, and the Cypress trees of the South 



with the growing season of trees, even to the extent that without mentioning the White Oak, Chestnut, Tulip tree 



lumbermen recognize a "second sap" period during June or White Pine which may stand near the schoolhouse 



in Chestnut Oak trees. This furnishes ])ractical proof door. And meri'K- to mention the names of these trees 



that the second period of growth recurrs rather regularlv is not sufficient This sim]}l\' serves as an introduction, 



in this species. The second period is usually short and but if the ch.ildren are also instructed concerning their 



the bark does not peel so satisfactorily as in the first 

 period of the season. It is, therefore, recommcndable 

 tiiat the ])eriod of active growth be accurately fletermined 



growth and other activities they begin really to know 

 these trees, and will coiUinue to observe and study 



their habits. 



WE WANT TO RECORD YOUR MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING. PLEASE ADVISE 

 THE AMERICAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D. C. 



