780 FOREST STAND IMPROVEMENT WORK IN WOODLANDS 



shelterwDdd ( Nlliiij;. nr if iineveii-agcd. a j:r(iu|i sclcciinii cultinu slimild l)c iised 

 lo encourage lieiiihick icpiodiutinii. 



B. As regards density 



1. Maintain a crown cover density of from 5U to 7U per cent 



2. Except when trees are removed because of a seriously diseased condition, cut liv- 

 ing trees only to release desired individuals, to improve growing or seeding condi- 

 tions, or decrease the density or overstocking of future food, shelter or crop trees. 



3. Where present crown cover is of little value, consider maintaining it as a nursery 

 under which more valuable species may seed in. 



4. Wherever trees are hollow, have extensive limb cavities or are well on their way to 

 producing such, leave them uncut up to a total of two such trees per acre. 



C. As regards origin 



1. If there is a choice between single-stemmed trees from seedling origin or sprouts 

 the former should be chosen for crop trees. Whether thinned or not, sprouts are 

 often in danger of being infected with heart rot. 



D. As regards arrangement 



1 . In general, favor a mixed stand in which conifers occur in clumps, if possible. 



2. When forestry is the dominant use. forest stand improvement might aim to pro- 

 duce even-aged stands; when game is dominant uneven-aged stands should 

 be encouraged. 



?i. Wherever practicable, leave a sprinkling of several food- or shelter-producing 

 species, including shrubs, rather than a large number of a single species. 



Marking rules 



1. Mark in a distinctive manner all trees to be removed. 



2. Mark few trees smaller than three inches in diameter, for cutting. 



3. Mark "wolf" trees for removal where felling of such trees is possible without dam- 

 aging the adjacent stand except where wolf trees of preferred species are neces- 

 sary to provide mast and den cover or to supply seed in stands deficient in that 

 species. 



4. Mark out woods" roads for removal of wood products so as to afford the least amount 

 of damage to the remaining stand, and to encourage food and/or cover where 

 needed. 



.S. In sprout clumps, mark lo free the one or two stems which arc more or less inde- 



])endent of the remainder of the clump and which give promise of developing into 



merchantable stems. 

 6. Mark most "whips" for removal unless they are of a particiilarlv desirable species 



which is locally not conunon. In such cases they should be released from compe- 



titioti. 



Cutting and removal of ivood products 



1. Remove all dead trees except den trees for squirrels and coons. 



