Research Committee of the South-Western Region. The main silvical character- 

 istics under study are distribution, occurrence, site requirements, tree features and 

 reproduction. The silvicultural practices under consideration are methods of 

 estabhshment, protection, thinning, harvesting and other cultural techniques with 

 the selected species. 



In 1961, the studies were confined to seasonal diameter growth measure- 

 ments of hard maple, silver maple, bur oak, American basswood, white ash and 

 red pine; also, seasonal height measurements were taken at bi-monthly intervals 

 on silver maple saplings. Methods of a sexual propagation of high quality 

 silver maple phenotypes were tested by air layering and budding. 



Forest management research studies are designed for determining the most 

 suitable techniques for the management of woodlots and plantations on a variety 

 of forest sites. This entails an evaluation of tree species, tree quality and site. 

 Several studies have been advocated by the Regional Rsearch Committee of the 

 South-Westem Region. 



In 1961 these studies covered a wide range of activities. They include 

 experimental planting designs, analysis of growth of several coniferous species in 

 permanent sample plots, assessing underplanting of basswood in a heavily thinned 

 hardwood stand, and collecting height and diameter data in a red pine spacing 

 experiment at East Gwillimbury research area. 



Forest chemical research studies were designed to investigate the use and 

 application of chemicals for growing, protecting and utilization of our forest 

 trees. Many of the experiments were sponsored by the Lake Huron District. 



These studies were expanded in 1961. In addition to completing the field 

 work on hawthorn and wild apple eradication with 2,4-D ester in oil and water, 

 a test was designed to evaluate two soil sterilants, Dybar and Urab, in eradicating 

 low quality conifers, particularly Scotch pine. The analysis of two years' field 

 data on chemical release of white pine from underbrush competition in the North 

 Bay District was completed. An initial report will be published in 1962. 



Forest instrument research studies are designed to investigate the mechanical 

 development and adaptation of forest instruments for mensurational and silvicul- 

 tural uses in the South-Western Region. All developmental work on instruments 

 is done in co-operation with the mensuration and mechanical sections of the 

 Research Branch. 



In 1961, these investigations were devoted to the final testing of a special 

 type of dendrometer tape on trees from one-half inch to four inches in diameter; 

 evaluating a high pressure sprayer as a soil scarifier; procuring a mechanical 

 injector for treating trees with chemicals, and developing height dendrometer 

 instruments for accurately measuring height growth of seedlings and saplings. 



Soil conservation research studies have been confined to evaluating vegetative 

 control of gully erosion in the John Pierce Park, Lake Erie District. The 

 investigation was initially sponsored by the Parks Branch through the Regional 

 Research Forester of the South-Western Region. 



These studies were finalized by making a comprehensive appraisal of the 

 willow plantings of 1957, the willow dams established in 1958, and the black 

 locust plantings of 1959. A report will be written in 1962 on the entire project 

 with special reference to pertinent observations and final recommendations. 



Site Research 



Site research establishes an ecological basis for renewable natural resource 

 management in Ontario. The basis is ecological in that it gives the relationships 

 between the features of the land and the crops which are grown on it. The 



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