THE BURNING OF DEAD AND DOWN TREES AS A 

 PRACTICAL PROTECTION xMEASURE 



By Roscoe B. Weaver 

 Forest Examiner, U. S. Forest Service 



Standing dead trees play a very important part in the problem of 

 forest protection. Their influence is twofold. 



First. A large portion of lightning fires originate from dead snags. 



Second. Fires are spread from burning snags standing near fire lines. 



The eradication of this class of material from the forests will reduce 

 the fiammability of the forests and be an aid in the suppression of fires. 



Although the experiment which forms the basis for this article was 

 undertaken primarily for application to the forests of California, the 

 writer believes that equally as good results can be attained in other 

 forested regions. 



With the rapid depletion of the country's timber supply, the need for 

 more intensive protection for our timberlands is essential. The 

 campaign now being waged against forest devastation and waste should 

 be accompanied by as an intensive a campaign for the protection of the 

 forests, both private and public. More than ever before, the timber 

 owner is responsible to the people with reference to the manner in 

 which he protects his timber from destruction. 



Protection is divided into two principal divisions, prevention and 

 suppression. Forest protection in its broad meaning endeavors to pro- 

 tect the forest, not alone from fire but from disease, insects, etc., 

 which are likewise a menace to the development of the stand and often 

 to its very existence. By protecting from fire, however, we are at the 

 same time decreasing the amount of damage done by other destructive 

 agencies. 



The burning of brush and felling of snags on timber sale areas are 

 methods of prevention. It is estimated in California that it costs the 

 operator from $1.50 to $3 an acre to comply with the snag felling 

 requirement in his timber sale contract. This is figured as an operating 

 cost in the stumpage appraisals, which results in the reduction of the 

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