74 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY. 



acre. The trees between Shongum and Morris Plains, and gen- 

 erally, in this vicinity, are about 44 years, all of which range 

 from 6 to 24 inches in diameter and from 40 to 50 feet high. 

 There are very few coniferous trees ; mostly in the valleys and 

 along the streams, On Trowbridge mountain, northeast of 

 Shongum, a few acres of timber were noted, measuring from 10 

 to 30 inches in diameter and 60 feet high. A few red cedars 

 were noted near Morris Plains, and also some near Shongum. 

 The timber near Morristown seems to be older and better than 

 it is further west. Generally, from Morristown, Mendham and 

 Chester, on the south, to Ironia and Mount Freedom, on the north, 

 either chestnut or oak predominates, but there is also a good 

 deal of hickory, some birch, white birch, maple, elm, &c. There 

 does not appear to be much cutting at present, but there has been 

 a good deal 10 or 15 years ago, so that there is much timber only 

 from 2 to 5 inches in diameter, but it runs from these sizes up to 

 20 inches. A fair average of the timber would be from 6 to 10 

 inches and 30 to 45 feet high. The steeper slopes are generally for- 

 ested, and there is no evidence of washing from deforestation. On 

 the easterly edge of the plateau, southwest from Morristown, the 

 timber is of the same general character as that we have already 

 described. As this is becoming a residence district there is a 

 tendency to preserve the timber, and most of this is of fair size 

 and age, and there is very little cutting. Further southwest, on 

 Mine mountain, the growth is good and thrifty, ranging from 8 

 to 20 inches in diameter and 30 to 55 feet high. There is but 

 little cutting, and what there is is mostly for fencing. It is 

 mainly held either in connection with farms or the country 

 places of people from the near-by cities, and there is a general 

 tendency to cut the wood carefully and make the most of it. 

 Over along the north branch of the Raritan there is some good 

 timber, but most of it runs from 4 to 6 inches in diameter and 

 20 to 30 feet high. It is noticed that as we approach the red 

 shale country there is generally more hickory and less chestnut. 

 The region between Peapack and Chester has timber run- 

 ning from 6 to 14 inches in diameter and 30 to 50 feet high, 

 but not much has been recently cut. A considerable amount 

 was taken off between 10 and 15 years ago. There is good timber 

 on Mount Paul, ranging from 6 to 12 inches in diameter and 25 



