FORESTRY AND CONSERVATION 367 



fifteen inches square with the mattock. In these spots nuts can be 

 dibbled or plants inserted. The success of planting and the vigor 

 of growth depends on the question of light as well as the condition of 

 the soil. In general the locations that have enough light to allow a 

 development of grass may be successfully filled with young tree 

 growth. 



The woodlot should have a definite boundary with a belt of 

 evergreens especially on the side from which the prevailing winds 

 come. Too many woodlots have no definite boundary, but are sur- 

 rounded by slash. Keep a definite boundary well stocked with trees 

 and soon the woodlot will have every acre productive. 



Coppice. Coppice is a form of growth in the woodlot which is 

 little understood by the average owner. Trees are reproduced from 

 seed, cuttings, suckers and shoots. Coppice growth originates from 

 shoots or suckers developing from the stump or root collar of pre- 

 vious years. These new shoots depend upon the root system of the 

 original tree for nourishment. One-year-old shoots may often 

 be seen which have developed from a Chestnut stump. All native 

 deciduous or hardwood trees have the power of reproducing in this 

 way, especially where trees are cut young and at the proper season. 

 Evergreens, with a few exceptions, as Arborvitae, never reproduce in 

 this way. Certain species, as Chestnut, Baswood, the Oaks, Elm, 

 Poplar, Birch, and Soft Maples, seem to develop these shoots more 

 freely and vigorously than other species. 



To obtain good tree growth of coppice after cutting certain con- 

 siderations must be given attention. Coppice from overmature trees 

 will not produce strong growth, as the old root system has lost its 

 vigor. .Coppice loses its vigor of growth by following the system too 

 far, the third and fourth generations becoming weak and decrepit. 

 In many woodlots dwarfed and stunted growth exists from the above 

 causes. Coppice is best produced by cutting in late winter or early 

 spring. Late fall or early winter cutting often allows frost and 

 moisture to loosen the bark. The coppice shoots originate beneath 

 this outer bark and if it is destroyed there is small chance of shoots 

 developing. In cutting with a view of obtaining coppice, the stump 

 should be cut as closely to the ground as possible. It is desirable to 

 obtain resulting shoots as near the ground as possible. Coppice which 

 originates high up on the stump does not become vigorous. Fre- 

 quently we find trees in the woodlot with the base partly rotted, and 

 such trees are often of coppice origin. In this case the shoots devel- 

 oped from a high point on the original stump with the result that 

 as the old stump decayed the new coppice growth was left weakened 

 at the point of contact. Coppice loses its vigor of reproducing after 

 a few cuttings. When two or three generations of trees of coppice 

 origin have been taken off it is advisable to endeavor to obtain new 

 growth of seedling origin Nuts may be dibbled in where favorable 

 spots can be found, or planting may be resorted to if desired. In 

 any case the area should be gradually restocked with trees of seedling 

 origin. (Ont. A. C. B. 155.) 



