429 
Species specially favored: oak, hickory, ash, black walnut. 
Species of less value: yellow poplar, butternut, basswood, maple, elm, 
beech. 
Species usually removed: ironwood, cottonwood, sassafras, water 
beech, ete. 
The character of the tree is more important than the species. Tall, 
straight trees with well developed, thrifty top are left in preference to 
those which are spindling, weak-topped, crooked or unsound. In a group 
of equally good trees it is often best to remove one or more, for by so 
doing the remaining trees will produce more wood than all of them had 
they been left undisturbed. Trees with their crowns entirely exposed to 
sunlight are seldom removed unless a number of thrifty ones will be as- 
sisted. Those completely overtopped by others have ceased to be a factor 
in the growth of the stand and may be cut whenever their wood will pay 
for their removal. Another class of trees are those which receive sun- 
light from above but which have their sides shaded. It is in this class, 
where the struggle for existence is most severe and where the greatest 
economy of energy can be brought about, that most thinning is done. It 
is better to make light thinnings, never more than a fifth of the stand at 
a time, than to remove too many at once, for this opens up large patches 
of ground which dry out on exposure to sun and wind and furnish an ex- 
cellent opportunity for the growth of grass and undesirable brush. It is 
not safe to say that this species must be removed to make room for that 
or that three sprouts must be cut from a group of six. All the improve- 
ment thinnings must be made upon the judgment of the operator. 
In the woods which contain large open spaces here and there trees 
should be planted as in mature open stands. In any case growth of young 
trees and shrubs should not be hindered but rather encouraged on a strip 
at least two rods wide. A windbreak should be planted if necessary. 
YOUNG STANDS. 
Character.—The third type of woodlots is the young stand. The 
ground, seeded by the trees left after all merchantable timber was cut, 
has become covered with second growth trees four to twelve inches in 
diameter and twenty to fifty feet in height. Many of them are straight 
and thrifty, but many more are gradually being suppressed and are dying. 
Trees in little groups here and there which started from seed the same 
year are so evenly matched in size that growth is temporarily arrested. 
