34 BULLETIN No. 82. 



Mockernut Hickory 



This is the most common species of hickory occurring in Delaware, 

 and is found very sparingly on all types and more frequently in the 

 northern half of the State. It is not much faster growing than white 

 oak, but the quality and value of the wood make it a very desirable 

 tree to have growing in woodlots, to a limited extent. However, it is 

 not to be recommended as a profitable species for commercial timber- 

 growing because not sufficiently rapid in growth. 



Red Maple 



This tree occurs most frequently in moist situations, especially in 

 gum swamps. A very large per cent, of the mature trees are only good 

 for firewood, as they are too defective to cut for veneer or flooring, for 

 which purposes maple is much used when sound. The tree reproduces 

 very well both from seed and by sprouts, but it is not a desirable tree 

 to encourage, and should always be eliminated, as far as possible, from 

 future stands in order to make room for more desirable species. 



FOREST MANAGEMENT BY PRIVATE OWNERS. 



There are two large problems confronting private owners in Dela- 

 ware: 



(1) Management of woodlots as necessary parts of all well- 

 equipped farms, and which occupy, for the most part, valuable agri- 

 cultural land. 



(2) Management of timber tracts located on poorer and cheaper 

 land, where timber-growing as a business will be profitable. These 

 tracts are confined chiefly to southern Delaware, where there are large 

 areas of comparatively cheap land. Wherever land can be purchased 

 in the State for $15 or less per acre, it is safe to say that timber-grow- 

 ing, under proper forest management, will pay a good rate of interest. 

 Loblolly pine is undoubtedly the most profitable species to grow, and 

 other desirable trees are chestnut, tulip poplar, red and pin oaks, and 

 sweet gum. Forest management for timber tracts should consist in se- 

 curing a well-stocked stand of desirable species to take the place of the 

 mature one removed ; the utilization of dying, suppressed, and inferior 

 trees in immature stands in the form of improvement cuttings; and 

 the protection of the stand from fire. As a rule, the old stand should 

 be clear cut when mature, and the succeeding stand should be even- 

 aged, if possible, because such a stand will show the best development. 



