FOREST STAND IMPROVEMENT WORK IN WOODLANDS 

 IN WHICH A COMBINATION OF FOREST AND 

 GAME CROPS IS DESIRED 



By Gardiner Bump 



Whenever the multiple purpose of producing sizeable crops of timber and of game are to 

 be served within the same wooded area, it is inevitable that many specialized forest stand im- 

 provement practices, usually considered desirable by foresters or game technicians, must be 

 markedly modified. The first decision still remains the determination of the crops to be en- 

 couraged. The forester may be interested in producing posts, ties, cordwood, pulpwood or 

 saw logs — the wildlife technician, remembering his choice is limited to woodlol and forest 

 game, may think of grouse, squirrels, rabbits, varying hares, deer and bear. 



The control of woodland plant succession to encourage the production of one or more of 

 the forest and game crops mentioned above is little understood. Foresters aim to improve 

 stand composition, quality, density and origin by carrying on cultural practices, particularly 

 weedings, improvement cuttings and thinnings. Wildlife technicians seek to so manipulatt- 

 composition, quality, density, origin and arrangement as to produce adequate food and cover 

 relationships for the species which it is desired to encourage. The addition of arrangement 

 is important. 



Recognition of the character of the various woodlands must precede ])ropcr management. 

 The principal components are: crop trees, wolf trees, weeds, trainers, whips and under- 

 growth. Classification of forest individuals or species into these groups depends largely on 

 use. A massive, though decrepit, beech may represent a wolf tree to the forester and a crop 

 tree to the wildlife technician by providing both mast and den hollows (food and shelter). 

 White ash may be a weed or a crop tree depending upon the use to be made of it. Kim is 

 seldom the latter. The important criterion is use. 



Determination oj Use 



The principal use to which a given area of woodland is to be put is usually determined when 

 it is acquired. Recently the principle of "multiple use" of land under either public or pri- 

 vate ownership has been much discussed. Over large areas devoted primarily to forest or to 

 game production there exist, ofttimes, excellent opportunities to encourage a subsidiary or 

 secondary crop of either forest products or game which should not be overlooked. In the 

 past it has been considered satisfactory to attempt developments which encourage such a 

 subsidiary crop on the same area and in conjunction with those designed to further the pri- 

 mary use. Carried to extremes, this has, however, led to considerable confusion and conflict 

 of development practices. It is therefore suggested that, as a result of type reconnaissance, 

 it should be possible to divide an area up into primary and secondary use units. The primary 



* Originally issued in mimeographed form as Circular No. 3 by the Bureau of Game of Ihe New York State Conservation Depart- 

 ment as a guide for Forest Stand Improvement Work on State Game Management Areas. 



