CHAPTER V. CUTTING MATURE TIMBER 



162. In general it is better to cut the mature timber, 

 and also to thin, during the winter months; for timber cut in 

 the winter months seasons better than timber cut in the sum- 

 mer; and summer cutting in pine stands increases the liabil- 

 ity of attack by bark-beetles. 



163. In felling large timber and cutting it into logs the 

 cross-cut saw is preferable to the ax. The saw saves the ax- 

 kerf and it saves time. 



164. To cut the mature timber with reference to repro- 

 duction is not as important as in some other States. It was 

 pointed out in Chapter 2 that the exclusion of fires is the 

 most important factor in securing reproduction. However, 

 it is sometimes possible to aid reproduction through the con- 

 trol of cutting; and when this can be done without much ex- 

 tra cost, it should be done. For instance, in an uneven-aged 

 stand the mature trees may be thrown away from or to one 

 side of the clumps of younger growth. Some breakage is 

 unavoidable, but a little care will reduce it. 



165. If the stand is even-aged it is better to cut clear 

 than to cull. The smaller trees have been stunted, and they 

 will not take on a thrifty growth when the larger trees are 

 removed, and they interfere with the young sprouts and 

 seedlings that come up under them. Seedling reproduction 

 of an even-aged stand may be favored by cutting soon after 

 a heavy seed-year of the kind that is most desired, or by 

 leaving 2 or 3 trees to the acre of the most desired kind to 

 act as seed trees. 



166. The amount of timber that is cut from a forest 

 should be regulated so that the stock in the forest will not be 



