48 FORESTRY 



The GROWING SPACE of the trees in a wood or nursery 

 is found by multiplying the distance between the rows by 

 the space between the plants in the rows. The total area 

 divided by this product gives the desired number of trees. 



Irregular planting is resorted to in filling up vacancies 'in 

 naturally regenerated woods and on stony ground where the 

 distribution cannot possibly be governed by rule. 



As to PLANTING DENSITY, it varies according to the object 

 in view. Where the desire is to produce the maximum 

 quantity of branchwood per acre without regard to quality of 

 bole, wide planting may be advisable ; but in planting for 

 economic purposes, fairly close stocking is necessary. The 

 aim should be to secure an interlacing of the crowns and 

 branches between five and ten years after planting. Once 

 this cover is produced, all the beneficial effects of competition 

 for space and light commence. In the struggle, lower 

 branches die and fall off, and length is given to the stems 

 in the effort of the trees to reach the light. These are the 

 conditions which make for long, clean timber. 



The distance at which to plant must be regulated by the 

 poverty or fertility of the soil, whether quick-growing or 

 slow-growing species are to stock the ground, and whether 

 the intention is to use seedlings, transplants, or saplings. On 

 a good situation, and where rapid-growing or very large plants 

 are employed, the number required will be fewer than under 

 opposite conditions. Trees should not be planted so closely 

 that their vigour is interfered with, but their activity should 

 be directed towards increase in height rather than to lateral 

 development. 



It will usually be found suitable to plant four-years-old 

 conifers at from three feet to three feet six inches apart. 

 Commonly the planting distance does not vary more than 

 from two and a half to five feet each way, when the object 

 is a strictly economic one. 



