Forest Types of Baden. 449 



are prevailing with only a few Beech. In such a case of course 

 it would be absurd to attempt natural regeneration of Beech. 



5. The Pure Oak Forests. In the neighborhood of Baden- 

 weiler, in the foothills of the Black Forest, we find a few pure 

 Oak forests on a limestone formation. 



This pure Oak type could be extended considerably as the best 

 quality classes of the Bauland are quite suitable for the production 

 of pure Oak stands. At the present time, however, this type is 

 confined to quite a small area in the Southern Black Forest, and 

 plays only a small part compared with the main forest types of 

 Baden. 



These stands have nearly everywhere a soil cover of Beech. In 

 some cases there is a slight admixture of Beech in the upper story, 

 and these mother trees have now naturally regeneratd the area 

 under the Oaks so that we may find in fact three stories. This is 

 a good arrangement, as the intermediate story forms a stem pro- 

 tecting wood which is very necessary with Oak, the species being 

 liable to produce epicormic branches (watersprouts) if allowed too 

 much lateral light. 



The silvicultural system adopted is most suitable for Oak. 

 Moderate thinnings are made in very short intervals and, when 

 the stands are about 40 years old, they are underplanted with 

 Beech according to the French system, which is very inexpensive, 

 using about 4,000 plants per hectare ($6.00 to the acre). The 

 rotation under which these forests are treated is generally about 

 150 years. 



About 30 years ago some of these stands were underplanted 

 with Silver Fir, but this was given up on account of the expense, 

 which was great, first, owing to the original cost of the plants, 

 which is always rather high, secondly, owing to the more careful 

 system of planting which was necessary, and lastly, owing to the 

 cultures being browsed by deer so that the ultimate cost of the 

 cultures was four or five times that of Beech. 



However, in some of these stands in the neighborhood of the 

 Silver Fir forests, perfect natural regeneration of that species 

 under the Oaks is secured from the adjoining woods. This pro- 

 tects the soil quite well, but it is probable that when the Oaks are 

 cut the Silver Firs will be left and then the Oaks will be ousted 

 from the area. This is a pity as the area under Oak cultivation 



