TREES TO USE IN STARTING WOODLOTS 61 



aged by severe winters if planted far outside its natural range. 

 Over this region in general the question of the selection of the 

 trees to plant is not primarily one based on climate, but rather 

 on soil conditions or site or on the product desired. A third 

 factor often becomes of prime importance that of the hardi- 

 ness of- the tree to insect and fungous attacks. Often the 

 best tree to plant for a particular purpose cannot be used for 

 these reasons. For example, there is no better tree to plant 

 in the northern part of the region than the white pine for 

 lumber. The white pine weevil which kills the leaders of the 

 trees already makes the use of this tree impossible in many 

 places. It is also likely to be killed by the blister rust should 

 it become widespread. European larch, which furnishes a 

 wood particularly well adapted to farm purposes, being a 

 fairly durable wood and strong, cannot be used generally 

 because of the larch saw fly that defoliates the trees, thus 

 killing them. Black locust would be the best tree to plant by 

 farmers for fence posts and fuel were it not for the locust 

 borer which riddles the wood. Chestnut throughout its natural 

 range has probably been the most serviceable wood to farmers, 

 furnishing fence posts, fuel, poles and lumber. The chestnut 

 blight prevents its being planted or favored. It is unfortunate 

 that some of the best trees for the farm woodlot cannot be 

 advised for general use. Trees not hardy to insect and fungous 

 attacks should be planted only after thorough investigation of 

 conditions. 



Trees to Plant for Lumber and Fence Posts. For the 

 production of lumber, trees should be planted that have fast 

 growth and a soft, light, easily-worked wood, and one that 

 will not warp or twist excessively in use. In general the con- 

 iferous woods fulfill these conditions. Red pine, white pine, 

 Scotch pine, European larch, Norway spruce and white spruce 

 have been planted extensively. Douglas fir and western yellow 

 pine are also coming into use and may prove of value. Among 

 the hardwoods there are many trees that furnish valuable 



