212 



Longleaf pine develops a skirt of 

 needles, which protects the bud and 

 growing tissue inside the bark. Long- 

 leaf will survive fires that kill other 

 pines and hardwoods. Shortleaf has 

 the rare quality among pines of being 

 able to sprout after its top has been 

 killed back by fire. 



SEEDLING DISEASES are also impor- 

 tant. Longleaf is highly susceptible to 

 brown spot needle disease (Scirrhia 

 acicola), which in some localities may 

 prevent seedlings from attaining height 

 growth. Slash pine or loblolly pine may 

 be substituted. Each within its range, 

 and on the suitable sites, will grow up 

 without any serious interference from 

 brown spot. Shortleaf pine in the west- 

 ern Gulf States is severely stunted by 

 the LeConte sawfly (Neodipnon Le- 

 Contei), but loblolly is relatively un- 

 injured by this insect. Shortleaf pine 

 suffers heavy losses over part of its 

 range from a disease called littleleaf. 

 Loblolly, on similar sites, is relatively 

 free of this disease. Longleaf may prove 

 an even better substitute. 



A longleaf plantation may be wiped 

 out by native hogs which graze on the 

 roots. While other pines may be killed 

 by hog grazing, the damage is not 

 usually serious. Hardwood seedlings 

 may be injured by grazing and tram- 

 pling by cattle. Pine seedlings suffer less 

 than hardwoods, but neither will sur- 

 vive heavy grazing. 



TREES FOR PLANTING should be 

 native to the locality. Exotic trees or 

 strains of trees from distant sources 

 have no place in the small woodland 

 until proved by public agencies. 

 Species from distant sources almost 

 invariably prove less successful than 

 local trees. For example, slash pine is 

 an excellent species in its native range 

 along the Coastal Plain of the South- 

 eastern States, but it suffers breakage 

 from snow and ice when planted north 

 of its range. Strains of loblolly pine 

 planted 100 or more miles from the 

 parent trees sometimes suffer a higher 

 rate of infection with stem canker 



Yearbook^ of Agriculture 1949 



(Cronartium fusiform) than the local 

 trees that belong to the same species. 



Species should be adapted to soil 

 and moisture conditions of the area to 

 be planted. Longleaf pine will grow on 

 the most difficult dry, deep sandy 

 ridges within the natural range and 

 make excellent timber. Loblolly pine 

 on the same site is often so heavily 

 infected with stem canker that the 

 trees must be salvaged early for pulp- 

 wood or be lost through decay and 

 death. Some pine will serve for almost 

 any dry, eroded, or less fertile area. 

 Loblolly pine, within its natural range, 

 is especially effective in reclaiming 

 eroded soils and gradually rebuilding 

 them. Pines grow well in good soil, too. 



Hardwoods generally require the 

 more fertile, well-watered soils with 

 good drainage. Black locust, for exam- 

 ple, will grow rapidly on good, well- 

 watered soils, but will fail completely 

 on poor soil or dry sites. Commercially 

 valuable hardwoods, such as white 

 oak, walnut, black cherry, and yellow- 

 poplar, likewise require soils equal in 

 fertility to those on good agricultural 

 lands, but occasionally a landowner 

 has an odd corner of such land that 

 will make a better return with a crop 

 of good hardwood trees than with an- 

 nual crops. 



The discussion thus far suggests 

 that the tree planter will encounter 

 many problems on which he may need 

 the counsel of an expert. Each plant- 

 ing area presents its own special set of 

 conditions and problems. Many of 

 them require decisions on a technical 

 basis. Technical help is available for 

 those who wish it. The State forester, 

 the local forester for any public 

 agency, or the county agent will gladly 

 give advice on request. The forester 

 will go over the property with the 

 owner and discuss whatever questions 

 may arise. He will explain why species 

 succeed or fail under varying condi- 

 tions. He will discuss the relative values 

 of different species and present facts 

 on rate of timber growth, markets, and 

 cash returns. The owner may then 

 weigh the facts he has obtained from 



