FOREST PLANTING. 9 



Evergreens or deciduous trees? An impression prevails that 

 black walnut, white oak, black cherry, hickory, etc., are the most 

 profitable trees to grow because their woods bring high prices. 

 If the available land is suited to these trees it may be so used, 

 yet such trees grow well only on strong agricultural soil of 

 which there is, or soon will be in this State, none to spare. If 

 we deal with true forest 'soils the conifers or evergreens will 

 yield more per acre and year than any others. Pine of some 

 sort is the world's most valuable wood, and always will be, be- 

 because it satisfies most needs. Pine is best for planting in 

 South Jersey because it is suited to the sandy soils, and it is best 

 for planting in North Jersey because it produces more wood in 

 less time than any deciduous tree. Spruce and fir are almost as 

 valuable, and may be used as variants. 



Tolerance. In forest planting, as in every branch of silvicul- 

 ture, the innate qualities of each tree species with respect to 

 sunlight must be considered. Some; pines, ash, cottonwood, 

 will endure little shade from other trees; they are called light- 

 requiring or intolerant: others; spruce, fir, beech, are less par- 

 ticular and are called shade-enduring or tolerant (of shade). 

 Tolerant trees when well grown always have more branches 

 than intolerant trees, but more of them can thrive on a given 

 area. An intolerant species must never be planted where it will 

 lack light. 



Quick growers. By all means use the species that will give 

 quickest returns, but bear in mind that rapid growth is usually 

 a response to stimulation through fertile soil, abundant mois- 

 ture, excess of warmth, etc. Cottonwood grows rapidly in moist 

 soil; it will fail where it is dry. Catalpa requires warmth, fer- 

 tility and moisture for its full development. White pine thrives 

 on a medium soil, yet on poor soil may fall behind pitch pine. 



Nut Trees. Nut culture is not forestry, but a branch of hor- 

 ticulture. A tree developed for fruit has too much crown to 

 produce good lumber; one grown tall and straight for lumber 

 has too little crown to yield much fruit. Dismiss, therefore, all 

 thought of combining the two crops. Let fruit (including nuts) 

 be grown where that is likely to be profitable and the trees can 

 be given the care that they need. Trees for lumber are satis- 

 fied with poorer soil and much less care. Of course, fair crops 



