CHAPTER II 



THINNING 



The financial results of woods planted for the 

 growth of mature trees are largely influenced 

 by the manner in which the trees have been 

 thinned. Thinning is the artificial reduction of 

 the density of a crop. 



The objects sought to be attained by careful 

 management of woods are three : first, the 

 health of the trees ; secondly, strength to with- 

 stand gales ; and thirdly, the production of the 

 largest possible number of trees of a shape and 

 size which will attract a timber merchant. 

 These objects are to some extent antagonistic 

 to each other. In a very open wood the trees 

 are healthy and sturdy, but the number of trees 

 in the wood is reduced, they are short in height, 

 and there are numerous knots in the timber 

 from the side boughs. 



It is in the power of a planter by removing 

 some trees in a wood to increase the distance 



29 



