CHAPTER VII 

 TREES TO USE IN STARTING WOODLOTS 



THE selection of the trees to plant in starting a woodlot 

 or forest planting is an important consideration. It may take 

 several years to show that trees are not adapted to a certain 

 region or situation or soil. The ordinary planter cannot afford 

 to experiment with trees. The loss of many years may result 

 from a wrong choice. Trees must be adapted to the conditions 

 under which they are planted or they will not thrive. 



The following points should be considered in the selection 

 of the trees to plant : 



Is the tree hardy in the climate where it is to be planted ? 

 Many trees grow well within the natural range of their distri- 

 bution. Few trees will grow well far outside of the range. 

 This is because a tree cannot change its habits of growth to 

 conform to a new climate. Retaining its old schedule of 

 growth, it may leaf out too early in the spring or continue its 

 growth too late in the fall and so be frostbitten. Trees from 

 a region where the air is moist will not grow in a region of 

 dry air. Trees from the Pacific coast will not thrive in the 

 East because of this fact. 



Is the tree adapted to the situation ? Trees that will do well 

 in lowlands will not thrive when planted on upland regions. 

 Trees from high altitudes will not thrive in low land. In the 

 same region a matter of a few feet often determines the char- 

 acter and kinds of trees that will grow, because of a difference 

 in the moisture conditions. Exposure to wind and frost is an 

 important factor in tree life. In the same region the same trees 



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