36 FORESTRY 



topping the stand. In this way, the species extends its 

 territory. 



But the seed which falls under the old trees, while 

 it may germinate and form seedlings, usually requires 

 more light to grow than it receives. A full stand of any 

 species throws too dense a shade for its own seedlings, 

 although the seedlings of a more tolerant species may grow 

 there without difficulty. So that with most intolerant 

 trees, the forest cannot renew itself on the same ground, 

 until it begins to go to pieces from old age, and we will 

 get a succession of crops of trees of an even-aged form. 



Reproduction by Sprouts. — The production of seed is 

 not the only way in which a tree can renew itself. All 

 hardwood species, if cut or burned, can sprout again and 

 these sprouts will form trees almost as tall and large as 

 the original trees. The conifers, as pine, spruce, etc., can- 

 not do this, and with them a fire or a cutting destroys 

 the trees, and, if seedlings are not already growing and 

 survive, it puts an end to the forest for the time being. 

 But with the sprouting hardwoods, it takes a succession 

 of fires to completely destroy the trees. Some hardwoods 

 sprout vigorously and to a great age, as the chestnut. But 

 most of them lose the power of sprouting when they reach 

 middle age, from 70 to 120 years old, and all trees sprout 

 best when young. Of the few conifers which sprout, the 

 pitch pine of the Atlantic coast produces the longest lived 

 sprouts, while certain western forms of juniper are known 

 to survive fires by sprouting. 



Sprouts appear in greatest numbers from the base of 

 the stump next the ground, or root collar. If trees are 

 cut in summer, after most of the growth for the year is 

 formed, they may not sprout at all, since at this period 

 all of the reserve food of the tree has been used up in 

 forming new growth, and there is nothing upon which the 

 roots can draw to put forth the new sprouts. But at any 

 time after the tree has had time to renew this reserve, it is 



