FOREST STAND IMPROVEMENT WORK IN WOODLANDS 781 



2. Cut only marked trees. 



3. In cutting over the area, remove the larger trees first so that if, in felling, any 

 unmarked trees are so injured as to necessitate their removal, the area affected 

 can be re-marked to adjust for the trees so damaged. 



4. Lop and scatter all brush less than four inches in diameter. Cut such material so 

 that it will lie close to the ground thus facilitating decay, or pile and burn it. 



.5. Where timber is of prime importance, prune coniferous crop trees listed under 

 this group when of pole size, to seventeen feet in height so as to produce one clear 

 log. In game units, pruning should not be carried out to a point where the shelter 

 value of the stand is impaired. 



6. Remove all wire fences from the interior of any woodland to prevent injury to 

 game and to forest users. 



7. To prevent injury to young growth, girdle those wolf trees which are not desired 

 for game or lumber, but which should be eliminated. Beech, basswood and other 

 species which naturally tend to form hollows should be girdled. 



8. Trees should be poisoned rather than cut or girdled where sprouts are particu- 

 larly undesirable. 



Fire hazard reduction 



1. Plan fire hazard reduction work to cover first those areas which have been recentl) 

 lumbered and where a large amount of slash, debris and damaged trees remain. 

 These constitute a serious fire menace |)articularly where they are adjacent to 

 much-traveled roads. 



2. Salvage all usable material from dead and dying trees when compatible with the 

 uses to which the area is to be put. 



3. Slashing debris which cannot be salvaged should be piled or scattered. Slash may 

 be burned in small piles whenever it is thought necessary to reduce the forest fire 

 hazard along strips adjacent to highways, or where the aesthetic values are impor- 

 tant. In this case particular care should be exercised to prevent damage to desir- 

 able advance growth. Where rabbits are to be encouraged such brush should be 

 piled rather than scattered or burned. 



4. Construct fire breaks only where extreme hazard warrants. Forest roads well 

 brushed out will ordinarily serve this purpose. Where forest plantations and ex- 

 tensive natural coniferous stands are adjacent to railroads, main highways, picnic 

 grounds or other recreational developments, the construction of artificial fire breaks 

 is usually warranted. 



Definitions 



Forest Stand Improvement is here used to include all operations aimed at improving the 

 composition and quality, establishing desirable densities and correcting undesirable situa- 

 tions arising from ])oor origin or arrangement by altering the component parts of any 

 woodland. 



Origin of a Stand refers to the method by which the individual trees or shrubs making up 

 a stand have been reproduced. These include seeds, sprouts and root suckers. 



