80 THE PRINCIPLES OF HANDLING WOODLANDS 



our best conditions, is exposed to considerable risk from 

 fire. The policy is, then, to cut among the merchant- 

 able trees, with a view to leaving the forest in as good 

 condition as possible for increment and for reproduction. 

 Under the conditions assumed, the forester has in 

 mind the following general principles in marking the 

 trees for cutting: 



1. The following average diameter limits are used as 

 a guide in the marking: 



For spruce 12 inches 



Forfir 10 " 



For hemlock 12 " 



For birch, beech, and hard maple ... 16 



For soft maple 12 



2. All trees above these respective limits are cut, 

 except those needed for seed or for some other special 

 purpose. 



3. All trees below the limit are left standing, except 

 such merchantable trees as are growing very slowly and 

 will not live till the next cut. 



4. Trees which are not over 3 inches larger than 

 the diameter limit, and which are growing very rapidly 

 and obviously increasing in value at a rapid rate, should 

 not be marked. 



5. Very old and slow-growing trees which are below 

 the limit, but are incapable of increasing their growth 

 after release, should be marked, unless needed for some 

 special purpose. 



