cultural practices which will ensure maximum production of quality wood within 

 economic limits. Such knowledge is essential tor the proper management of the 

 forest resources of Ontario. An outline of the status of the main projects for each 

 regional unit is given below. 



MID-WESTERN FOREST RESEARCH UNIT 



During 1963, the regular program of silvicultural research was continued but 

 much emphasis was placed on the reporting aspects of the program. A minimum 

 of field work was conducted to maintain the examination schedules of specific 

 projects and to obtain necessary data to complete compilations and reports. 



Natural Regeneration of White Spruce and Balsam Fir. An analysis of regen- 

 eration information collected from plots established in 1948 to determine the 

 effects of conventional clear cutting was continued. To supplement these data, 

 approximately 350 spruce and balsam fir seedlings were collected and stem sections 

 permanently mounted on microscope slides and aged. 



An examination was made on a regeneration study, established in 1960 to 

 determine the effects of modifying conventional cutting by leaving white spruce 

 seed trees. The trial incorporated seed bed preparation by ground disturbance due 

 to mechanical tree length logging. Fifty 1/10 acre main stand plots and 1,000 

 mil-acre regeneration plots were involved. 



Artificial Regeneration Studies, Jack Pine. The analysis of information was 

 continued from an area which had been aerial seeded after a controlled bum and 

 from an area that had been mechanically scarified and cone bearing brush dis- 

 tributed. In addition, about 600 jack pine seedlings from the two areas were 

 obtained for stem studies and ageing by microscope to substantiate the information 

 collected in prior years. 



Ageing Techniques. To ensure accuracy in ageing small coniferous seedlings, 

 counting rings by hand lens was rejected in favour of microscopic means. Devising 

 a suitable process involved microtome trials to obtain specimen cross sections, tests 

 of wood stains and slide mounting media, and trials of microscope and slide pro- 

 jection equipment. 



Reporting. During the year, reports on three herbicide projects, an aerial 

 seeding project, a microclimate study, a regeneration survey method and a study 

 of seedling ageing processes were prepared and are in various stages of editorial 

 review. 



NORTHERN FOREST RESEARCH UNIT 



In the Northern region, work has been concentrated upon lowland black 

 spruce, which is the primary source material of our pulp and paper industry. The 

 initiation and development of new crops and the growth of existing stands are 

 considered to be unsatisfactory. 



The cause of poor reproduction is under study. Surface soil samples from 

 recently cut areas have been obtained and seed counts made to detennine whether 

 the supply of natural seed could be considered adequate from year to year. This 

 project was begun last year following the prolific seed year of 1962 and will 

 continue to include the next year of abundant seed. 



Initial studies were made upon alder stands in preparation for a more detailed 

 program planned for this coming year. There is an apparent delay of some 30 

 years in the establishment of a new spruce stand after a logging operation, during 

 which period alder seems to dominate the site. A study of alder is required to 

 determine how this period of establishment for spruce may be reduced. 



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