118 SILVICULTURE METHODS OF ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION 



2. From standing or felled trees. With some species it is more 

 economical to remove the cones from conifers before they have opened 

 and scattered their seeds. Trees felled on logging operations at the 

 proper season render seed collecting with some species very simple and 

 inexpensive. Light-winged seed, such as those of elm, maple, and 

 ash, may be collected from the ground rather than from standing 

 trees. 



3. From squirrel hoards or caches. This is a favorite method in 

 many National Forests where squirrels gather large quantities of 

 cones and other seeds for their winter supply. 



FIG. 59. The first step in artificial reforestation is to secure tree seeds. Gather- 

 ing cones from squirrel hoards. Four or five pounds of pine seed were obtained 



from this one hoard. 



5. NURSERY PRACTICE SEED AND TRANSPLANT BEDS 



Reforestation is accomplished largely by planting tree seeds in 

 nurseries and developing them for one to four years until they have 

 reached sufficient size and have adequate root development to plant 

 them in their final location. Forest tree nurseries are generally di- 

 vided into seedbeds and transplant beds. Seed beds are rectangular 

 plots 4' X 6', 4' X 12' etc., where the trees are left to grow for one 

 or two years. Transplant beds consist of rows in which trees taken 

 from the seedbeds are placed generally an inch or more apart, and 

 left to develop for another year or two. Trees are seldom used for 

 transplanting when over four years of age. 



Great care must be used in the selection of the nursery site. The 

 most important factors to be considered are: 



1. Favorable soil with proper drainage facilities. A light, sandy 



