10 SEEDING AND PLANTING 



eration is called selection. When the seed trees left standing are 

 relatively even-aged and the timber is removed in two or more 

 successive fellings at relatively short intervals during the process 

 of reproduction, the method of regeneration is called shelterwood. 

 In the selection method the period of regeneration extends over the 

 entire rotation and the resulting stand is all-aged. In the shelter- 

 wood method the period of regeneration extends over a limited 

 period of the rotation, usually from 10 to 15 years, or the time 

 between the first and the last fellings in the removal of the crop; 

 the resulting stand is relatively even-aged. 



The selection and shelterwood methods are often combined in 

 practice and the period of regeneration extended to 30, or even 50, 

 years as is the present practice in the Black Forest in Baden. 



11. The Selection Method. Natural reproduction is most 

 easily attained in forests managed by the selection method, al- 

 though in such forests it is often difficult to regulate the compo- 

 sition. The selection method is applicable to stands represented 

 by trees of all ages. In such stands, trees are taken out here and 

 there as they mature while the younger trees remain standing. 

 Only a small percentage of the entire stand is cut at one time. 

 The openings made by the removal of single trees or small groups 

 of trees are always small. Because of the abundance of nearby 

 seed trees and the protection afforded the soil, the openings are 

 quickly filled with young trees in vigorous growth. Reproduction 

 in a selection forest most nearly approaches that of a virgin forest, 

 the chief difference being that in the selection forest the small 

 openings are made by the removal of mature trees, while in the 

 virgin forest the openings are made through the death and decay 

 of the overmature trees. When there is an abundance of repro- 

 duction, tolerant species will often crowd out or suppress the less 

 tolerant ones. 



12. The Shelterwood Method. The shelterwood method is 

 applicable to relatively even-aged stands. The mature crop is 

 removed gradually by a series of cuttings. From 10 to 15 years 

 usually intervene between the first cutting and the removal of 

 the last of the crop (Fig. 5). During this interval reproduction 

 takes place. From the standpoint of reproduction, this system 

 has many advantages. The cuttings leave a large number of seed 

 trees more or less uniformly distributed. The shelter of the over- 

 wood protects the soil and the young seedlings and retards the 



