THE COPPICE SYSTEMS 173 



cases the trees are allowed to grow to be 25 or 30 

 years old, but where larger timber is required one of the 

 modified coppice methods is commonly used. 



In this country the market is seldom good enough to 

 cut trees below 25 years old. In certain places there is 

 a market for small material at brick-yards and lime-kilns, 

 and for domestic fuel. Under these conditions the trees 

 are cut on a rotation of about 25 years. More often, it 

 does not pay to cut the stand until at least ties and poles 

 can be obtained from the largest trees. This means a 

 rotation of 40 years or more. At so late an age the 

 simple coppice method is uncertain of reproduction, and 

 the pole-wood or system of holding over reserves is 

 preferable. 



Season of Cutting. The trees should be cut during 

 the season of vegetative rest. In general, in the climate 

 of New England, any time from September 15th to 

 April 1st is favorable. Cutting in April results in good 

 reproduction, but at this time there is danger of injury to 

 the stumps by the peeling of the bark and bruising in 

 removing the wood. 



Care in Cutting. The best sprout reproduction is 

 obtained by cutting low, smooth stumps. Where a very 

 short rotation is used, as in Europe, the manner of sur- 

 facing the stump is even of greater importance than under 

 the conditions in this country. The European forester 

 takes care that a smooth cut is made on a slant, to shed 

 off the water. A ragged or cup-shaped surface tends to 

 hold water and hasten decay. A short rotation means the 



