RE-KNFOkCKMKNT OF HARDWOOD WOODI.OTS 33o 



other hand, l)t* changed radically in character through heavy grazing 

 from one generation to the next. This change is often one of degen- 

 eration. The preponderance of such species as ironwood (Ostrya vir- 

 giniana), blue beech (Carpinus carolinmna ) , black gum (Nyssa syl- 

 vatica), in reproduction and second growth in many woodlots of the 

 oak type, is a disturbing factor, since it means the establishment of a 

 permanent type. The tolerance of these species, once they are estab- 

 lished, will exclude the seedlings of the oaks, hickories, and other intol- 

 erant associates of the original oak type. A case in point is a 14-acre 

 oak woodlot in central Ohio. White oak originally preponderated, with 

 associates of black, red, and scarlet oaks. The removal of the white 

 oak 60 years ago was followed by a reproduction of the red-oak group, 

 which now forms the overwood. Live stock had been excluded 10 years 

 prior to observation, at which time a dense reproduction of ironwood 

 had become established. Oak did not compose i per cent of this stand. 

 The seeding was made by six mature ironwoods. The future status of 

 this wood and many other like it is not one of promise in a highly 

 specialized agricultural community. It demonstrates the vigilance re- 

 quired in operations following the removal of live stock. It has been 

 observed, however, that the removal of seed trees of these species at 

 time of reservation from grazing does not always accomplish the de- 

 sired result. Seedlings may persist for years during the period of 

 grazing, only to spring up with vigor under protection. Skillful manip- 

 ulation at the critical period may often produce satisfactory results, 

 but the difficulty lies in handling such areas at the proper time. Ex- 

 perience has demonstrated that it may not be as difficult to outline a 

 workable method of procedure as it is to get the plan carried out by the 

 owner, especially if any skill or particular knowledge may be required 

 on his part. This fact is frequently a discouraging feature in develop- 

 ing the maximum possibilities of natural seeding. The layman's con- 

 ception of forestry is tree i)lanting, and it is going to take considerable 

 schooling to educate him to some of the intricacies of intensive wood- 

 lot practice. Lhi(|uestional)ly, artificial re-enforcement nuist play an 

 important role in bringing woodlots of the oak ty])e to a satisfactory 

 state of production, and undoubtedly the present gi-neration must bear 

 a burden of expense to acconi])lish this end. In the process many of 

 the woodlots must be clear cut, entirely restocked, or transferred to 

 other sites. The native species — tulip poplar, white ash, red oak, lin- 

 den, and others — are well adapted for re-enforcement, and especially 

 among the ever-present and tolerant weed growth. 



Conifers also will hi" used in converting oak stands on sites of low 



