MARYLAND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 311 



Only the growth of the vigorous Chestnut and Tulip-tree, persist- 

 ent under the harshest treatment, makes it possible to obtain desirable 

 material. These species sprout readily from the stump and grow 

 rapidly (Plate XXVIII), and have therefore, in a measure been able 

 to hold their own. The fact that the Tulip-tree bears seed at an 

 early age has also been an important factor in its survival. White 

 Oak has practically disappeared from the greater part of the county, 

 being replaced by the faster growing Red and Black Oaks. The 

 gums, Red Maple, and Scrub Pine are creeping in, in ever-increasing 

 proportions, and w r ith them many other undesirable species. 



PRODUCING CAPACITY. 



Before suggesting a treatment for the improvement of Cecil county 

 forests, the present capacity of the different sections for timber pro- 

 duction should be discussed. 



The slow growth and small size of the trees of the Barrens (Plate 

 XXVI) limit that region to the production of cordwood. The trees 

 of the shore-timber, however, grow rapidly and reach sizes suitable 

 for 1 amber. The depleted condition of the shore forest makes it 

 impossible to determine by measurement their possible acre yield. 

 The following table gives the present possible yield of the better 

 stands if the material produced were fit for lumber. The figures in 

 the column under "board feet" are the lumber equivalents of the 

 figures under " cords." These cord figures are taken from table on 

 page 299. 



TABLE SHOWING POSSIBLE YIELD OF SHORE-TIMBER. 



Average stand Stand on 15,000 



per acre. acres. 



Species. 



Cords. Board Feet. Cords. Board Feet. 



Chestnut 3 . 64 3,151 54,600 47,265,000 



Red and Black Oaks 2.76 2,395 41,400 35,925,000 



Chestnut Oak 2.04 1,751 30,600 26,265,000 



White Oaks 1.81 1,503 27,150 22,545,000 



Tulip-tree 81 693 12,150 10,395,000 



Other species. 3.93 3,417 58,950 51,255,000 



Average of all species 14.99 12,910 224,850 193,650,000 



