THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE WOODLOT 131 



On very dry sands or gravels where the white pine will not do well, the 

 Scotch pine is a good tree. It grows very rapidly when young, but later 

 in life it does not grow so fast as does white pine. The value of its timber 

 is decidedly less than that of white pine. Because of its slower growth 

 (except in early life) and because of its poorer timber, its use is 

 not recommended on soils where white pine will grow. The Scotch 

 pine will not endure much overhead shade, and it should not be 

 planted under other trees. The western yellow pine (" bull pine ") 

 will probably prove to be a better tree than Scotch pine for very dry 

 soils; but as yet it has not been planted in the East long enough to 

 make this certain. 



Among the hardwoods, red oak, white ash, and basswood are excellent, 

 except in the colder parts of the State; sugar maple is fairly satisfactory 

 in all parts of the State. All of these, except maple, are fairly rapid 

 growers; the maple grows comparatively slowly. All need moderately 

 moist and well-drained soil. If the soil is dry, white pine should be planted ; 

 if very dry, Scotch pine or western yellow pine. White ash and red oak 

 will not endure much overhead shade; basswood is moderately shade- 

 enduring; sugar maple, like spruce, will endure heavy shade and can be 

 planted under other trees. 



The locust (black locust) is often used as a fence-post tree. The great 

 trouble with it is that borers (grubs) often attack the plantations, fre- 

 quently killing half of the trees, although many plantations suffer no 

 injury. Even when the percentage of loss is large, the locust is still a 

 desirable fence-post tree. It can be put on any soil that is fairly deep 

 and not swampy. It is a good tree to hold steep banks. It grows very 

 fast for twenty or thirty years, but later in life its growth is slow. It will 

 not endure overhead shade, and therefore should not be planted among 

 other trees in the woodlot except in openings of considerable size. It is 

 not satisfactory in the coldest parts of the State, where it suffers from 

 severe early fall frosts. 



Catalpa should not be planted in New York State, except perhaps in 

 the warmest parts and on good soils. Catalpa is a rapidly growing tree 

 on good soils in a mild climate. Many of the failures in severe climates 

 have come because of not having the hardy variety; but even the hardy 

 catalpa does not make profitable growth in a cold climate, especially if on 

 poor soil. It should not be one of the trees commonly used in this State. 

 Where it is planted, none but the hardy variety should be used, and it 

 should not be put in the shade of other trees. 



Chestnut should not be planted in this State at present. The chestnut 

 bark disease is so fatal and is spreading so rapidly that this tree is an 

 unsafe investment until we learn whether or not the disease can be checked. 



