DISENGAGEMENT CUTTINGS IN MIXED SMALL 

 SAPLING STANDS. 



By W. D. Sterrett, 



Dense mixed stands of small saplings, three to ten feet high, 

 can often be much improved in value at comparatively little 

 expense by freeing the crowns of trees of the more desirable 

 species and individuals from injurious contact with and suppres- 

 sion by the less desirable. The term "disengagement cutting" is 

 peculiarly well suited to designate this kind of work, as it con- 

 sists primarily in disengaging the crowns of trees to be favored 

 by lopping off the tops and branches of individuals which are 

 interfering with their growth. These cuttings can be done most 

 effectively in late summer as the saplings cut back are less liable 

 to sprout and are conspicuous because of their foliage. It has 

 been found that one man with either a well-sharpened corn knife 

 or with a brush axe can readily cover one to two acres a day of 

 dense small sapling thicket in this kind of work. There will 

 usually be some spots where the crowns of desirable trees are 

 already free and where of course, no cutting is necessary. The 

 following tabulated summaries give the results of an experi- 

 mental disengagement cutting made in a three to six year old 

 mixed sapling stand of White Pine, Gray Birch, Red Maple, 

 Aspen, Bird Cherry, and Willow in southern New Hampshire, the 

 cutting being made to favor the White Pine. Two plots were laid 

 off, on one of which a disengagement cutting was made in which 

 the tops and branches of all interfering hardwoods were lopped 

 off, while the other remained intact for comparison. Plot I was 

 one-half acre and Plot II one-quarter acre in area. Table A 

 shows the amount and condition of the White Pine on the two 

 plots just before the cutting was made in 1906, while Table B 

 summarizes a re-measurement of the two plots made in 191 1. 



