14 WORKING PLAN FOR FOREST LANDS NEAR PINE BLUFF, ARK. 



reproduction of the oak, while the damage they do to pine seedlings is 

 trifling. They also tear up and loosen the soil, thus preparing it well 

 for the germination of pine seed. 



THE FOREST. 



Although the forests of this locality are commonly known as "pine 

 woods," pine being the principal merchantable species, a pure growth 

 of pine very seldom occurs. Except over limited areas the pine is 

 always in mixture with the hardwoods. On the bottom lands along the 

 j streams, pure hardwood forests occur. Several distinct types of forest 

 growth may therefore be observed, and are distinguished by the lum- 

 bermen. These types are: 



1. Pine ridge. 



2. Fine flat. 



3. Hardwood bottom. 



Since no topographical maps of the tract were available, and since 

 the occurrence of these types is dependent mainly upon differences in 

 elevation and slope, it is impossible to estimate accurately the area 

 occupied by each. From the valuation surveys, however, a rough 

 idea of their extent was obtained, and the per cent of the total forest 

 area each occupies is assumed to be about as follows: 



Per cent. 



Pine ridge 65 



Pine flat 20 



Hardwood bottom 15 



As each of these types has a tree growth in many ways peculiar to 

 itself, the forest will be described silviculturally under these three 

 headings. From the standpoint of the lumberman, however, the first 

 two types may be thrown together under the general heading "Pine 

 lands."" since from this point of view there is very little to distinguish 

 them. In the first place, the forests of the pine lands will be briefly 

 described, from the standpoint of their merchantable product. 



THE MERCHANTABLE FOREST. 

 PINE LANDS. 



Occupying about 85 per cent of the total area, the pine lands form, 

 and will continue to form, the principal source of income. Although 

 the lands of the hardwood-bottom type contain much valuable timber, 

 they cover too small an area to compete in commercial value with the 

 pine lands. 



The stand on the pine lands is shown by the table following, which 

 gives the average number of trees, the percentage in mixture, and the 

 average diameter at breastheight (4£ feet) a of the most important 



& All the tables contained in this report are based on diameter measurements made 

 at breastheight, or 4£ feet from the ground. To reduce approximately diameter 

 breasthigh to diameter on the stump, add 2 inches to the former. The exact rela- 

 tion between these two diameters is shown in fig. 2. 



