IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOREST 221 



Damage-Cuttings 



In nearly every forest there is some damage by wind, 

 lightning, ice, snow, insects, disease, or fire. Good for- 

 estry calls for the removal of damaged material as soon 

 as practicable, not only to utilize what is still fit before it 

 deteriorates beyond usefulness, but also to prevent the 

 spread of insects and disease. 



If a mature forest is badly damaged, it is cut and 

 reproduced as soon as practicable. 



It frequently happens that an immature stand is dam- 

 aged, and a large number of trees are so injured that they 

 ought to be cut. Their removal involves a heavier 

 opening of the stand than if the forest were thinned, and 

 often makes permanent openings in the canopy. Such a 

 heavy cutting in an immature stand, required by fire, 

 windfall, or otherwise, may be called a damage-cutting. 



When a stand has been so damaged, the forester must 

 determine whether it will pay to leave the uninjured trees 

 standing. If the stand is approaching maturity and a con- 

 siderable portion is injured, it is usually reproduced, ahead 

 of the normal time. If the damage is localized, that por- 

 tion may be reproduced. If the damage is confined to 

 only a few patches, the injured material is removed, and 

 the openings are left to natural reproduction or, in the 

 case of intensive practise, are filled by planting. 



Sometimes a surface fire runs through an immature 

 stand, killing from 40 to 60 per cent, of the trees. The 

 remainder are rapid-growing, and the loss of growth 



