I'RELIMIXARV KKPORT OF RXl'KRIMEXTS IX I'UXXSVLVAXIA .'50.'] 



were put forth to prepare reliable tables of height growth, diameter 

 growth, sectional area growth, merchantable and stem volume growth. 

 form factor, form quotient, and yield. Tables were also prepared 

 showing the actual mill cut in terms of the trees and the component 

 logs. Each table was prepared on the basis of 200 to 600 trees. The 

 complete results will be published soon, and a perusal thereof will show 

 the superiority of the native pitch pine over the foreign Scotch pine. 



Just as the Riga district of Russia and the Baltic provinces of Prus- 

 sia embrace the best stands of Scotch pine, so the Alont Alto, Clearfield, 

 and Snowshoe regions of Pennsylvania contain the best stands of pitch 

 pine in the United States. These regions of optimum development 

 should be the source of the future seed supply for artificial regenera- 

 tion. Scotch pine grows more rapidly in youth, may attain a greater 

 age and height, and is somewhat more tolerant. On the other hand, 

 ]\Iont Alto pitch pine at the age of 100 years attains a breast-high 

 diameter of 20 inches, as against 14.4 inches for Scotch pine site-quality 

 I, according to Swappach. A comparison of the results also shows that 

 volume growth and form factor of pitch pine surpasses that of Scotch 

 pine site-quality I. In middle age ])itch pine exceeds Scotch pine in 

 height growth, but lags behind the latter in youth and does not attain 

 so large a maximum height. These favorable results were obtained 

 from pitch-pine trees which grew up without adequate i)rotection and 

 practically no tendance. It is reasonable to assume that under proper 

 sylvical management this species will do even better. 



Heretofore the pitch pine has been underrated. In appearance it is 

 not prepossessing, and its apparent annual height growth is very slow, 

 while its actual growth is satisfactory. This is due to the fact that 

 pitch pine usually rests for a while during the growing season and then 

 again resumes growth, and in consequence of this cessation produces a 

 false whorl of branches. Hence, what often appears as the growth of 

 two seasons is in reality that of but one season. 



The favor in which pitch pine is now held is not based solely on the 

 above study, but is also in part the result of experimental seeding and 

 planting. Direct seeding in lines and spots has been fairly successful. 

 Broadcast sowing of seed on an experimental plot on the White Deer 

 State Forest after five years showed an establishment of 90 per cent. 

 Planting, however, has been conducted on a more extensive scale than 

 direct seeding. The first pitch-pine trees were set out on State forests 

 in 191 1. Since then an increasing number have been planted each year. 

 The banner year was 191 8, when 534,000 trees were set out on State- 



