RKI'LACKMKXT <JF T:iK CIir.STXUT 107 



existing chestnut stands into stands composed of other valuable species. 

 All the influencing factors may not be operative in every locality, but 

 there are a few fundamental factors which are of considerable impor- 

 tance, and will be discussed briefly. 



The chestnut formerly occupied so large an area in Pennsylvania, 

 and its destruction was so complete, that the belief prevailed during 

 the height of the epidemic that numerous vacancies, which aggregated 

 an enormous area, would be created and remain unoccupied for a long 

 while, at least no valuable trees would appear upon them. That this 

 belief was incorrect, is now becoming evident in places where the 

 blight has reached the final stage of its invasion. In Region 1. and to 

 a less extent in Region 2, the blight has now passed through the three 

 stages of its invasion, namely, initial, intermediate, and climax (final) 

 and one is now able to observe what nature will do to replace the chest- 

 nut. A ray of hope is beginning to appear over what is regarded as 

 a sad forest tragedy, for natural replacement is mure complete and 

 better in quality and quality increment than was anticipated. The 

 blanks left after nature has had sufficient time to show what it can 

 do are fewer in number and less extensive in area than was formerly 

 predicted. Foresters and woodsmen are now heard to say: "We do 

 not miss the chcstr.ut as much as wc thourht we would ;" '"We can get 

 along without the chestnut :" and "\\'c' had the chestnut to spare." The 

 problem is. therefore, in many places not one of forest tree restoration 

 on blank vacancies, but of the control of forest tree replacement. 



The nature of the material which is replacing the chestnut varies 

 with locality, site, slope, remaining species, forest type, and many other 

 influencing factors. Spaeth* states that in central New England "Red 

 oak and white ash are the most important species replacing to a large 

 extent the dying chestnut." 



Ten of the most important species associated closely with the chest- 

 nut in Pennsylvania are : 



1-.— On Hillside Sites (dry) : 



1. Chestnut or rock oak. 



2. Pitch pine. 



.".. r.lack l()cr?t. 

 i. Black birch. 

 5. Black oak. 



' Sp'cieth, J. Xelsoii. Growth Study and Normal Yield Tables for Second 

 Growth Hardwood Stands in Central New England. Harvard Forest Bulletin, 

 No. 2. 



