444 Japan. 



1. Forest Conditions, and Ownership. 



Due to these great variations in climate, four cli- 

 matic regions being differentiated, the forest flora of 

 Japan almost rivals in variety that of the United 

 States, with over 200 deciduous, and more than 30 

 coniferous species of size (besides a large number of 

 half-trees), although not more than some 50 or 60 are 

 of silvicultural importance, and not more than 10 

 or 12 species form the basis of forest management and 

 of the lumber trade, which requires some two billion 

 cubic feet annually, and supports an export of over 

 six million dollars. The value of the total cut was,, 

 in 1907, placed at over 17 million dollars, of which six 

 million was to the credit of the State Treasury. 



In the tropical districts, bamboos form the main 

 staple; in the subtropical region, the most densely 

 populated and hence also almost forestless, the broad- 

 leaf evergreens, especially several species of oak, fur- 

 nish desirable fuel wood, and two species of pine are 

 most valued for timber, one, the Red Pine {P. densi- 

 flora) extending its realm rapidly over waste areas \ 

 camphor tree and boxwood furnish ornamental wood. 



The region of temperate forest furnishes, out of over 

 60 species, some 14 conifers and 19 broadleaf trees of 

 value, the former mainly of the cedar tribe, with 

 Chamaecyparis obtusa and Cryptomeria japonica the 

 most widely used, while of the broadleaf species, 

 which occupy more than 50 per cent, of the forest 

 area, Zelkowa keaki. of the elm tribe, a chestnut, a 

 beech, several oaks, a walnut, and an ash count among 

 the most useful. 



