GO PRACTICAL FORESTRY IN 



WESTERN WHITE PINE (P. monticola) 



Although as a distinct forest type this valuable tree is lim- 

 ited chiefly to Idaho, it occurrs occasionally in mixture or 

 small tracts over a wide range, and no reason appears why 

 its commercial importance should not be extended by plant- 

 ing on cut-over lands. Its high value, rapid growth and 

 heavy yield make it a particularly promising species for 

 growing under forestry principles. Its chief requirements 

 for success are fairly good moist land, access by the seed to 

 mineral soil and ample light for the young seedlings. 



Except that it is more fastidious as to soil, white pine 

 usually demands about the same treatment as that pre- 

 scribed for Douglas fir, including clean cutting, slash burn- 

 ing and establishing a new even-aged stand by seed trees or 

 artificial restocking. Under favorable conditions the stand 

 is nearly even-aged, with little undergrowth except of unde- 

 sirable species. What small pine may exist is seldom thrifty 

 enough to be worth saving, so the best thing is to clean off 

 the ground for the double purpose of removing weed trees and 

 favoring valuable reproduction. Like that of fir, the natural 

 rotation of white pine forests seems to have been accom- 

 plished often by the aid of fire, and where not given this aid 

 it suffers from lack of suitable seed-bed and from the competi- 

 tion of other species already established. 



Individual seed trees left in logging are not successful be- 

 cause of shallow root system and almost certain windfall. Ee- 

 placement must be by seeding or planting, or by leaving 

 small tracts of pine surrounded by cleared fire lines to protect 

 them when the slashing is burned. The size and distance 

 apart of these must be determined by their situation and ex- 

 posure to wind, considering both the danger of windfall and 

 the carrying of seed. Especially in younger growths, the 

 quantity of merchantable material tied up in this way is not 

 so great as is sometimes necessary in the case of red fir, where 

 single seed trees may contain several thousand board feet. 

 On the other hand, stumpage value may be high. For this 



