HOW TREES GROW AND REPRODUCE 



59 



Trees are reproduced by the following methods. Reproduction is 

 important because it forms the basis of succession of tree crops in 

 forest management. 



1. By seed. All trees bear seed in some form: the oaks, in the 

 form of acorns; some, such as hickory and walnut, in the form of 

 nuts; some, like the elm and maple, in the form of winged seeds. Seed 

 is also developed in cones, as in the spruce, pine, fir, etc. In many 

 parts of Europe, seeds, as those 



of the beech, furnish food for 

 swine. Some forests are man- 

 aged entirely for their nut crops, 

 as in Italy and Turkey. The 

 seed of the pifion pine was an 

 important part of the food sup- 

 ply for the Indians in the South- 

 west. Tree seeds vary widely in 

 their viability and germinative 

 qualities. 



2. By sprouts, known also as 

 coppice. This is typical of hard- 

 woods. When cut, hardwoods 

 sprout promptly from the root 

 collar or top of the stump. This 

 is an important factor in the 

 management of coppice forests. 

 Redwood is a unique example of 

 conifers which sprout success- 

 fully. 



3. By cuttings. Some trees, 

 such as willows, poplars, and 

 cottonwoods, may be reproduced 

 by making cuttings which, when 

 planted under favorable condi- 

 tions, will develop into live trees. 



4. By suckers from the root system. Some shallow-rooted species, 

 like beech, may send out large numbers of root suckers to reproduce 

 the forest. 



5. By layers in which branches lying on the ground may produce 

 roots and develop into separate trees. Examples of this are Sitka 

 spruce and red spruce. This is of very little practical importance. 



FIG. 31. White oak (Quercus alba) as 

 found in the forests of Virginia. Show- 

 ing bark characteristics, leaves, flowers, 

 acorn and twig. This species is found 

 throughout the eastern part of the 

 United States. 



