CHAPTER III. PROTECTION 



135. Stands of trees have enemies. Among these are 

 fungi, insects, and fires. 



Sedtion 1. Fungi 



136. Sometimes low forms of plant life, called fungi, 

 grow on the inside of trees and feed on their wood, causing 

 decay. Unless these plants bear fruit we may not know of 

 their presence. Their fruiting bodies are sometimes called 

 toad stools or frog stools. One common form is small at the 

 top and grows larger from year to year by the addition of a 

 layer at the bottom. If the under side of one of these is exam- 

 ined it will he found to be full of small holes, from which the 

 spores of the fungus are discharged. The spores are blown 

 about in the air; and if one finds lodgment in a knot-hole or 

 other place where the bark is broken, it may develop and 

 grow into the tree. Fungi may also spread through the 

 ground by filaments from an infested tree reaching the roots 

 or butt of another tree. 



137. Little may be done towards protecting a stand 

 from fungous diseases; because in our present stage of de- 

 velopment the timber crop is not valuable enough to allow 

 the expenditure that an active campaign against fungi would 

 involve. The most that may be done is to keep the timber 

 in a thrifty, healthy condition by the prevention of fires and 

 the removal of diseased trees. 



Section 2 Insects 



138. The wood, inner bark, and the foliage of trees are 

 attacked by insects. The small, shot-like holes sometimes 

 seen in red oak wood are the result of insect attack on the 

 wood; they are the passages out by an insect, and they de- 



