CHAPTER 17 

 FIRE THE GREAT DESTROYER 



Forest fires are the greatest single obstacle to reforestation and effec- 

 tive forest management. CALVIN COOLIDGE. 



THE greatest curse of the forest is fire. 



More than axe or saw, probably more than insects and 

 disease, fire has been the implacable enemy of the forest and 

 over larger areas, has put an end to forest life. 



Long before the coming of the white man, fires ran through 

 our woodlands. Doubtless the greatest number of these were 

 caused by lightning, but it is certain the Indians often set fire 

 to the woods when warring against hostile tribes, or when, 

 on annual hunts they burned the underbrush to drive game 

 out into the open. We have records of fires that devastated 

 wide stretches of forests before the coming of Columbus. And 

 the records of these fires are very accurate and readable for 

 they have been kept by the trees themselves. 



Provided a tree is not killed after it has been scarred by fire, 

 a layer of new wood is laid down around the burned area 

 within a year. Next year another layer forms, each bit of 

 growth aiding in covering the old scar, until with the passing 

 of time a protective covering of new wood has completely 

 encased the wound. By counting these successive layers, or 

 rings, one may compute with accuracy the time at which these 



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