DEVELOPING FOOD AND SHELTER BY PLANTING 



661 



considerable care in the selection of the sites. Hardwood trees usually require a more fer- 

 tile soil for successful establishment than do the conifers. It is fortunate, however, that, in 

 most portions of the Northeast, natural plant succession will develop some hardwood tree 

 species. In most cases it is only necessary, therefore, to plant a portion of the area to attain 

 a better balanced hardwood stand. This provides an opportunity to select the best ground 

 for setting out the trees where artificial planting is needed. 



WHERE THE CROWN COVER IS KAIRl.Y OPEN A.N UNDERPLANTI.NC OF SHADE-TOLERANT SPRUCE MAY 



ALSO FURNISH WINTER SHELTER 



A mixture of species is just as necessary in hardwood |)lantings as with the conifers. Those 

 listed in table 186* have been selected because of their particular value to spring nesting 

 grounds. Others, such as the walnuts, hickories and chestnuts, while not of particular im- 

 portance to grouse as a source of food, are of sigiiilicance to a number of wildlife species. 

 These large seeded trees, as well as the oaks, may be established by planting the nuts instead 

 of the seedling trees. 



There are a number of other species of hardwood trees that are suitable to plant but which 

 are not of special use to the grouse. However, one may wish to add some of these to the 

 mixture for their value as wood products. Among these are tulip poplar, white ash and 

 basswood. 



Shrub Border Plantings 



As previousK mentioned, summer and fall feeding grounds usual!) are best combined in 

 a single strip. In most instances, such a stri|i is a border of the cover. A minimum width 

 (if about 25 feet is needed in order to maintain this plant t>pe. The width may be increased 

 up to approximately 100 feet or until it constitutes ID to 15 per cent of the habitat area 

 where this cover is particularly needed. 



* See Appendix, p. 883. 



