METHODS OF TREATMENT 97 



At the end of that time there will be found groups of trees of 

 all ages from one up to the number of years in the rotation, 

 irregularly scattered over the area. 



An objection to the group method is that the woods get 

 little rest, as work is going on more or less over the whole 

 area. On the other hand it is easier to obtain an equal annual 

 yield than under the last method, because it is not difficult to 

 find groups where some cutting is necessary. To avoid distur- 

 bance of the whole area every year, the woods maybe divided 

 into four or five blocks. One block may then be worked in, 

 year after year, till it is regenerated and then another block 

 may be taken in hand. 



The Selection Method. 



Under this method the forest is theoretically worked over 

 throughout its full extent every year, taking out single trees 

 or small groups of three or four trees here and there, always 

 cutting all trees which are dying, diseased, or mature wherever 

 they are found, and making necessary thinnings wherever the 

 crop is too thick. It is like the group method, where the 

 group is reduced to the space left by removing only one or 

 two trees. In practice, in order to localize the fellings, it is 

 usual to divide the forest into from seven to twelve equal 

 blocks and to work in a different block each year. The forest 

 is entirely uneven aged, trees of all ages and sizes being found 

 mixed up together. As no blanks are made, the method is 

 only really suitable for shade-bearing species such as beech, 

 and the new crop is usually formed by natural regeneration. 

 The method approaches what is found in natural woods 

 untouched by man. Wherever a little light is let in seedlings 

 appear; these usually grow slowly under the heavy shade, 

 but they may be assisted, by removing trees which overshadow 

 them, in the future cuttings. Unfortunately brambles also 

 appear in the openings, and this adds to the difficulties. The 

 beech woods in Buckinghamshire are mostly managed under 



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