560 Forestry Quarterly. 



hardwood type. The species of most importance are the white 

 oak, red oak, burr oak, yellow oak, and swamp white oak, the 

 pignut and bitternut hickories, white and green ash, black wal- 

 nut, basswood, white, red and cork elms, cottonwood, black 

 willow, hard and soft maples, sycamore, hackberry, honey locust 

 and coffee tree. The valuable oaks and the walnut were cut 

 especially heavily at an early date. Among the conifers two species 

 have been found in commercial quantities in Iowa, white pine 

 (Pinus strobivs) and red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) . The 

 very limited occurrence of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) is only 

 of botanical importance. Small stands of the pine occurring in 

 the northeastern part of the state were early lumbered. The 

 range of the cedar extends to all parts of the commonwealth. 

 Valuable stands which were found along the Cedar and Iowa 

 rivers were early exploited. 



"The average woodlands of the state are producing only about 

 thirty per cent, of their possible output of wood products. With 

 little or no protection from fire or stock, the native timber is 

 regenerating poorly and many stands are characterized by the 

 absence of reproduction. 



"From early times Iowa has been active in planting timber. 

 The woodlots in most instances were for providing shelter, fuel 

 and repair material. In few cases were the plantings made for 

 strictly commercial purposes. In 1863 the State Census reported 

 a total of 8.360 acres in planted groves and woodlots. In 

 1867 this area had increased to 14,128 acres; in 1875 to 65,549 

 acres ; and at the present date the estimated acreage in planted 

 timber is 210,000 acres." 



"The returns that may be expected from planting white pine 

 vary with the care in planting, the quality of stock used and 

 the soil conditions. One plantation yielded an average annual 

 income of $10 per acre over a period of 35 years; another $12 

 per acre per annum over a slightly shorter period. In planting 

 white pine, it is not necessary to cultivate the ground after plant- 

 ing but it is absolutely essential to keep out surface fires and 

 stock. Sheep and cattle are apt to nip the tender young seed- 

 lings, killing them back or destroying them, and a ground fire 

 will invariably kill the young trees." 



S. J. R. 



