44 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE 



Hornbeam, Ostrya I'lTgiiiiana. 



American dm, Uliuus aincricaiia. 



Pepperidge, Nyssa sylvatica. 



Dogwood, Cornus florida. 



The ash makes a fine development. We noticed one two feet in diameter, and 

 have been reliably informed of one 36 inches in diameter on the southerly slope of 

 Hemlock Mountain. Of spruce, we saw one on West Kill Mountain, one of the 

 highest peaks of the Catskills, which was 36 inches in diameter, with a short bole. A 

 red oak 30 inches in diameter was seen on the Bryant tract, at an elevation of 2,000 

 feet ; and a splendid second growth of this species was found on top of Timothyberg 

 Mountain. Pines attain a large size here ; we measured perfect specimens of second 

 growth, 24 inches in diameter. 



The different species are very unevenly distributed. In some of the small valleys 

 or cloves many of them are entire!}' wanting, ^\■hile in some places, like the beautiful 

 West Kill Valley, nearly all are found in a thrift}- condition. The mountain tops 

 show the least variet}-, although upon some of them can be foLind most of the 

 different kinds of trees. There is nothing which indicates that the existing 

 older trees, or the second growth coming up, are the ones best fitted to the con- 

 ditions. In fact there are many indications that nature could be easily and 

 advantageously assisted in the early life of the forest growth needed to cover up 

 the bare, rocky slopes. 



It is commonly believed that the succession of short lived trees like the pin 

 cherry, birch, and poplar, following ferns, fire-weeds, and blackberries, which come 

 in after a burning, is necessary to form a soil suitable for the more important species. 

 From an examination of many of the burned slopes we believe this to be an error, 

 and that on almost all there is enough good soil held in the crevices between the 

 rocks or on the rocky shelves to sustain any of the varieties of trees which will 

 endure the climate. 



Some of the trees do not appear to be able to thrive on exposed tops and slopes, 

 because of the high winds and occasional ice storms. This is especiall}- true of the 

 birch and most of the hard woods, even the oaks. A splendid growth of hemlock 

 has until within a half-century covered nearly all the Catskill slopes and the tops of 

 many of the lower hills. It does not make as valuable timber as spruce and pine, 

 and does not generally come up in second growth, except on small areas. 



It appears probable that any wood of even age and even distribution would 

 better withstand the effects of high winds and produce straighter trees. It is well 

 worth while to try all the various kinds of trees which promise to succeed here. 



