15 



related to tree growth. Whether you can depend on the area reproduc- 

 ing from the seed of neighboring trees or whether it will be necssary to 

 use artificial means can only be judged by local considerations. 



Thin Borders and Open Spots. 



The borders of woodlots become thin owing to various factors. This 

 outside portion of the woods is more subject to winds and storms which 

 cause windfalls, dry out the soil and blow away the leaves which should 

 go to form vegetable mould. Frequently the border is overcut, as the 

 owner does not trouble going to the interior of the woods for his fuel, 

 etc. In time the soil deteriorates, grass and weeds follow, and then we 

 have the characteristic border which is neither woodland nor pasture. 



The development of large open grassy spots in the woodlot is usually 

 due to the effects of grazing. The old trees have been taken out and 

 the young growth destroyed by the stock until grass has taken possession 

 and formed an impervious sod in which the tree seeds find it impossible 

 to develop. 



The above conditions may be improved in the case of the thin borders 

 by planting evergreens or coniferous trees about the border in order to 

 form a windbreak. Norway Spruce and White Pine will be found to be 

 two of the best species for this purpose. One or two rows of Norway 

 Spruce planted along the fences, especially on the west side of the woods, 

 which is the side most subject to winds in Ontario, would make a splen- 

 did protection. 



Open spots in the woods if covered with grass could be improved 

 by roughly breaking the sod and allowing the seeds to reach the mineral 

 soil. Such breaking can be done with a disk-harrow or plow. In some 

 cases where there is no young growth to injure, it may be advisable to 

 turn in hogs as they frequently make a good seed bed by their rooting 

 in search of grubs, seeds, etc. 



These measures are to be adopted when the surrounding trees are 

 bearing seed. If there is little chance of such areas being seeded from 

 nighboring trees or if the ownrr desires to introduce better species into 

 hb woodlot he may resort to planting. 



Planting of this nature may be. d~>ne by using the young plants or 

 by sow'r.o seed. With the exception ol nut trees, it will be advisable 

 to use plants rather than seed. Methods ol planting the woodlot are 

 similar to the methods of planting described elsewhere. While the gen- 

 eral methods are similar, there are many bare spots which may need 

 special attention owing to the small amount of light which is able to 

 reach the ground. When breaking the sod with disk or plow is imprac- 

 tical it is usv ally possible to break spots about twelve to fifteen inches 

 square with tht mattock. In these spots nuts can be dibbled or plants 

 inserted. 



The success ol planting and the vigor of growth depends on the 

 question of hg b' as well as the condition of the soil. In general the loca- 

 tions that have enough light to allow a development of grass may be suc- 

 cessfully filled with young tree growth. 



