MARKING OF WESTERN WHITE PINE 877 



Necessity for a Change 



The increase in logging activity in the Coeur d'Alene region during 

 the last two years has brought out very definitely the difficulties in the 

 field application of the former marking rules for the white-pine type. 

 After a full appreciation of these difficulties, a study of the situation 

 was made, and this, together with additional studies by the investiga- 

 tive force, has resulted in the affirmation of suggested theories and the 

 discarding of old fallacies, making it possible to work out more satis- 

 factory marking rules. 



Present Marking System 



In drawing up the present marking rules, three objects were kept in 

 mind. The first was to make the rules so clear and definite that there 

 could be no doubt as to their meaning or differences of interpretation 

 by the men who would use them. This of course was largely a ques- 

 tion of concise and definite English. 



The second purpose was to allow flexibility of application. The 

 variations in composition, size, and condition of virgin stands in the 

 white-pine type are almost limitless. For that reason a set of marking 

 rules to be of any value must be in the form of general principles 

 which will permit adaptation to the different type conditions which 

 occur. Wherever it was necessary to define diameter limits or number 

 of trees per acre to be reserved, the limits were stated as a minimum 

 or maximum number per acre between certain diameter limits, if any 

 were specified. Particular emphasis has been placed upon the necessity 

 for a specific marking plan for each chance which will show the definite 

 application of the general rules. 



Finally, the attempt was made to formulate rules which would be 

 usable by the timber-sale force with a minimum of interpretation and 

 instructions by experts. For this purpose the classification and treat- 

 ment of the various classes of stands have been based upon diameter 

 breast high and number of trees per acre, with intentional avoidance of 

 reference to age and maturity, which are more difficult to determine 

 and more subject to differences in individual judgment. This basis for 

 the rules may seem to be artificial, but in practice it is not, because the 

 success of the marking under this system, as under any other, depends 

 upon the skill of the marker in selecting the individual trees to be left 

 which will fulfill the purpose for which they are reserved. Training, 

 experience, and judgment are needed in order to decide upon such 

 matters as soundness, thrift, seed-producing capacity, and windfirm- 

 ness, which determine the suitability of trees to be left. 



