THE SPREAD OF TIMBERED AREAS IN CENTRAL TEXAS 445 



northeastern Texas. It is found. in the Breaks of the Plains, but has 

 gained no foothold on the high, level plains themselves, apparently 

 being killed back by frosts. Its growth throughout central and south 

 Texas is habitually orchard-like, but after a time other species appear 

 to enter into the stand. Sufficient time has not yet elapsed for any of 

 the species invading new territory to attain large dimensions. Wide as 

 k, the distribution of mesquite, it is of timber size only in some of the 

 Rio Grande sections invaded many years ago. In the western portions 

 of the Edwards Plateau live oak is an abundant tree and its shrub-like 

 form is due not entirely to lack of adequate rainfall but partly to its 

 recent establishment. 



The causes which have resulted in the spread of timbered areas 

 are traceable directly to the interference of man. Before the white man 

 established his ranch home in these hills the Indians burned over the 

 country repeatedly and thus prevented any extension of forest areas. 

 With the settlement of the country grazing became the only important 

 industry. Large ranches in time were divided into smaller ranches and 

 farms with a consequent fencing of ranges and pastures. Overgrazing 

 has greatly reduced the density of grass vegetation. The practice of 

 burning has during recent years disappeared. The few fires which 

 start are usually caused by carelessness, and with alternating wooded 

 and open spaces and the close-cropped grass, they burn only small 

 areas. These conditions have operated to bring about a rapid extension 

 of woody growth. Almost unquestionably the spread of timbered areas 

 received its impetus with the gradual disappearance of grassland fires 

 and has been hastened by the reduction of the grass cover itself. 



The spread of timber over the pasture lands of central Texas cannot 

 be viewed without some misgiving, since grazing lands are being re- 

 duced in area. On the other hand, the supremacy of grass vegetation 

 will not for many years be destroyed and many distinct benefits from 

 the forest cover are recognized. Among these are the benefit of partial 

 shade for stock, greater abundance of fuel wood, fence posts, and other 

 material for fann and ranch homes, and protection to the soils and 

 water supply. Perhaps of all these the influence of an increasing per- 

 centage of forest cover on soil and water distribution will in the long 

 run be the most important. 



