CHAPTER XI 



CARING FOR THE WOODLOT STARTED FROM SPROUTS 

 AND THE ORDINARY FARM WOODLOT 



Caring for the Sprout Woodlot. The method of caring 

 for a growing woodlot started from sprouts does not differ 

 materially from the method of caring for a forest planting. 

 The same operations of cleaning, pruning, planting up and 

 thinning the stand as it develops are carried out. 



Seedling trees of valuable kinds that have started among 

 the stumps should be favored in making a cleaning. As we 

 have already noted, sprouts from trees that have started from 

 seed make more vigorous trees than sprouts from trees that 

 started as sprouts, and that in time through several genera- 

 tions sprout trees may lose their sprouting capacity. Where 

 sprouts, even of the better kinds of trees, threaten to overtop 

 seedling trees of valuable species, the sprouts should be re- 

 moved or their growth otherwise impeded, as by breaking off 

 the leaders. 



Where the stumps of the trees cut, stand far apart and 

 there are no seedling trees coming up to fill in the spaces be- 

 tween, trees should be planted. Planting of trees or the mak- 

 ing of seed spots is often a necessary operation in a sprout 

 stand. If such areas are not planted with valuable kinds of 

 trees inferior species will finally take possession of the soil 

 or the woodlot will not be well stocked with trees. In plant- 

 ing in a cut-over woodlot large stock must be used, so that 

 the roots will be well below the upper layers of the soil, which, 

 because of the large amount of humus, will dry out quickly. 

 Trees at least three or four years old should be used. 



114 



