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



PINE FLAT. 



On the low. almost perfectly flat lands the forest growth is in many 

 respects very similar to that of the pine ridge type. The soils are of 

 the same general character, but contain a larger amount of clay and 

 are somewhat moister. Over considerable areas on these flats, and 

 especially in the open spaces, there is a dense and often quite high 

 growth of grass, and the usual ground cover of leaves, weeds, ferns, 

 and huckleberries is common throughout. As on the ridges, the 

 humus layer is exceedingly thin or entirely absent. The representa- 

 tion of the various species is shown by the following table: 



Table No. 8. — Average number of free.-' per acre, percentage in mixture, and average 

 diamett rs for the most important species, for trees 12 inches and over in diameter 

 breasthigh. 



PINE FLAT. 

 [Average of 229 acres.] 



It is seen from this table that the Loblolly Pine is the most common 

 tree on the pine flats. Where the conditions are well suited to it it is 

 decidedly the dominant species of this type. Although Shortleaf Pine 

 is also well represented, it is not so much at home as on the ridges; 

 and the fresher the soil the more Shortleaf Pine gives way to the 

 Loblolly. White Oak. Post Oak. and Gum are fairly numerous, 

 while Hickory is very scarce. Of special interest is the proportion of 

 pine to the hardwoods. In constitutes but little more than half the 

 forest. 



The general appearance of a pine flat forest is similar to that of the 

 ridges, yet it difl'ers in several particulars. As on the ridges, the 

 pines stand high above the crowns of the hardwoods, the latter form- 

 ing, as before, a kind of underwood; but instead of occurring by single 

 trees or in small groups, the pines of the flats have a decided tendency 

 to grow in large groups, occupying at times a quarter of an acre or 



