Management of the Ruffed Grouse 341 



life value the border of shrubs affords protection to the woods from 

 drying and damaging winds. It benefits the field crops by keeping 

 the trees far enough away to avoid root competition for moisture 

 and plant food, and the shading of tall trees. The width of such a 

 shrub border must necessarily depend upon the desires and needs 

 of the individual owner. A minimum of about twenty-five feet is 

 needed to maintain the association and to provide a gradual increase 

 in height growth from the low outside shrubs next to the open field 

 to the trees of the woodland proper. On large units of land managed 

 for timber and game these shrub borders may well be fifty or more 

 feet in width. 



Two methods may be used to develop such a border: planting the 

 desired species in the open field edges; or cutting out the trees from 

 the forest border ( see Plate 44 ) . The planting problem will be taken 

 up later when we discuss development of open lands. 



Ordinarily there are enough shrub seeds and seedlings available 

 in a woodland edge to take over the strip when the trees are re- 

 moved. If this is not true, they may be established by planting. It is 

 suggested that no planting be done for at least two years after 

 cutting in order to give full opportunity for germination of dormant 

 seeds. 



Elimination of the trees is accomplished by cutting. All classes 

 should be removed or girdled. Many will sprout abundantly and 

 these will have to be cut back each summer until their vitality is lost. 

 This may take several cuttings, but in the interim the shrubs are 

 assuming dominance of the stand. 



USE OF POISON IN ESTABLISHING SHRUB BORDERS 



Those who may wish to avoid the repeated cutting necessary to 

 ehminate the hardwood trees from the borders where shrubs are 

 wanted may wish to kill them completely the first year by use of 

 poison. Sodium arsenite or white arsenite has proved satisfactory for 

 this purpose. The solution is made by mixing the chemical powder 

 with water. From one and a half pounds to three pounds of poison, 

 or even more, for each gallon of water may be used. The stronger 

 the solution the more quick and sure will be its killing effect. Since 

 some species are more resistant than others, and larger trees more 

 resistant than smaller ones, it is best to begin with a weak solution 

 and strengthen it as the results indicate the need. It is also advisable 



