178 THE PRINCIPLES OF HANDLING WOODLANDS 



number varies, further, with the age at which the sprouts 

 are cut. If 25 years is the rotation, more reserves can 

 be left than with a 40-year rotation, because the trees 

 have a much smaller spread of crown. As a general rule, 

 the number of reserves varies from 20 to 40 per acre. 



The trees chosen for reserves are well-formed, domi- 

 nant trees with a moderate crown development. They 

 must be sound, thrifty, and windfirm. Trees standing 

 singly are better than those growing in clumps, though 

 it is often necessary to leave some of the latter class. 



Under this system the returns are greater than under 

 the simple coppice. The total amount of wood produced 

 would not differ materially in cubic volume. The vol- 

 ume of coppice would be somewhat less because of the 

 space occupied by the reserves and the retarding of the 

 growth of shoots affected by their shade. It is probable, 

 however, that the loss of growth of the coppice would 

 be fully counterbalanced by the yield of the reserves in 

 cubic volume, and more than equalled in value. The 

 reserves are isolated, and have a maximum growth. 

 They reach a size in 50 years what it would take in a 

 closed stand 60 or more years to secure. 



Pole-Wood Coppice 



In most hardwood forests the simple coppice system 

 on a short rotation is not practicable, on account of the 

 lack of market for small material. The rotation is then 

 extended until the trees, or a portion of them, are large 

 enough for piles, poles, ties, or lumber. The age of 



