SI-XOXD GF^JOWril lIAkDWOODS IN r\U\ ADIRONDACKS 



Bv A. li. kl.CKXAC.IX 



Professor of Forest Maiun/i'iiiciit and UtiUcatioii. Cornell University 



The increased ciutiiitij of hardwoods — heech, yellow birch, and hard 

 niajjle — in the Adirondacks has emphasized the need for accurate in- 

 forniatiiui on the productivity of second growth stands of these species. 

 Stunif) analyses of virgin stands gave results far bel(Av the actual in- 

 crement of the young trees and hence were of little or no use ni 

 solving the prohletus of managing our northern hardwoods. 



The tendency in managing hardwoods is toward clear cutting which 

 produces conditions utterly different from those existing in the selec- 

 tion — form of forest that produced the mature trees of the present day. 

 C'k:n- cutting results in even-aged stands of beech, birch, and maple 

 and in a more rai)id growth in diameter height and volume as the 

 figures OP. the following page show. 



These figures were taken on typical hardwood land cut clear, 'lb to 

 .'H) years ago. for fuel-wood for a nearby logging camp. The result 

 is the fine, thrifty (k'velo])nu'nt of stands, preponderatingly hard maple 

 and yellow liirtli, w ilh ;i <1. 1). h. at 2~) years, of better than VA inches, 

 a total height of 45 feet (or a growth of nearly 2 feet per year!), and 

 a volume of 22 VS cords per acre or a mean annual increment of nearly 

 a cord per acre per year! In order to have a check on the volumes 

 they were abtained both by Pressler's and Schiffel's formulae. 



The figures show the dense stocking per acre and point to the need 

 of this in young hardwood stands. One-third of the trees that started 

 have died, after contributing the benefits of their competition to the 

 survivors. 



The data presented herewith are purely i)reliminar\' but they point 

 to a productive possibility in our second-growth hardwoods which is 

 distinctly encouraging. As o])portunity offers, this study will be con- 

 tinued until, if possible, a hardwood yield table can be constructed for 

 the Adirondacks. 



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