REFORESTATION IN MASSACHUSETTS. 31 



very intolerant, and the seed will not germinate on a thick layer 

 of humus, so that reproduction within the woods is unlikely. 



A long, clear bole is developed by growth in the forest, the 

 tree reaching a height of 70 to 80 feet in sixty to seventy-five 

 years. It is a short-lived tree, seldom living over one hundred 

 and twenty years when grown from seed ; sprouts do not live 

 over ninety years. 



Its most serious enemy is fire, since it is not subject to attacks 

 by insects, fungi or windfall. 



The wood is used, to the practical exclusion of all others, in 

 the manufacture of spools, shoe pegs, shoe shanks, and very 

 largely for toothpicks, dowels, bobbins, shuttles and various 

 toys and novelties. 



Yellow Birch (Beiula lutea). 



This tree is quite commonly found in Massachusetts in mix- 

 ture with evergreens and deciduous species, where it is dis- 

 tinguished by its yellow, shiny bark, usually of a tattered 

 appearance. 



It is a valuable species for ship building, furniture and 

 wheel hubs, having a very fine, clear texture of grain. 



It is mentioned in this list not because we desire to urge 

 planting this species, but in order that owners may recognize 

 it as a valuable tree, and not of the same class as the grey birch, 

 which, of no value in itself, usually causes more or less injury 

 to its neighbors by interfering with their proper development. 



3. SOUTHERN HARDWOODS. 

 Chestnut (Castanea dentata). 



This tree, like the oak, reaches its best condition on the lower 

 slopes of hills, or in coves where the soil is rich, moist and fairly 

 deep. It will grow, however, on a very thin soil, if it be loamy. 

 It grows much more rapidly than the oaks, attaining saw log 

 size in about fifty years. Under favorable conditions it will 

 attain a height of 100 feet and a diameter of 3 or 4 feet. As a 

 sprout its growth is remarkable, excelling that of any deciduous 

 tree except poplar. 



