212 Forest Trees of Massachusetts. [April, 



tion, is that shoots will not come from very old trees. From 

 those of old trees they spring up, but die in one or two years. 

 Stumps of trees that had begun to decay, seldom give any shoots. 

 In some cases, suckers come from the roots of old trees, but not 

 from the stump. A single individual thinks that the power of 

 throwing up shoots from the stump, never ceases during the life 

 of the tree. 



''As to the third question, all agree that evergreens never give 

 permanent shoots from the stump. Several persons, who have 

 attended the growth of the sugar maple say, that the stump of this 

 tree makes no shoots; and the same is said of the beech. 



"As to the season of the year most favorable for felling a fo- 

 rest, when the object is to have it renew itself speedily, the tes- 

 timony is various, but not absolutely discordant. All agree in 

 saying, that the tree should be felled when not in leaf. The ma- 

 jority say, generally, in the winter months; some, between No- 

 vember and April. A correspondent in Plymouth, my friend G. 

 P. Bradford, who kindly took great pains to get imformation 

 extensively from the wood-growers in that neighborhood, says, 

 "It is generally considered, by those well acquainted with the 

 matter, much preferable for the future growth, to fell a forest in 

 April and May. The wood is not so good as when cut between 

 November and April." This is confirmed by several other per- 

 sons who have enjoyed means of extended obserAation. The 

 convenience of the wood-cutter will generally lead him to fell the 

 forest in the early part of the winter; and, probably, taking into 

 consideration both the quality of the wood cut, and the welfare of 

 the future forest, this may be best. 



" When the object is to destroy the growth, summer is univer- 

 sally declared to be the best season to fell a forest. As to the 

 month, opinions differ. Many say, August, or late in summer; 

 some say, June and July, or midsummer. Mr. A. C. Metcalfe, 

 a very intelligent farmer of Lenox, says, — "In August, or when 

 the tree has attained its full growth for that season." This seems 

 to be the true period, at whatever time it takes place; when the 

 wood is formed and before it has hardened, and the materials are 

 laid up in the trunk and root, for future growth. Mr. A. Bacon 

 describes a conclusive experiment. "A gentleman residing in 

 this vicinity, effected the clearing of a lot of young walnuts, (hicko- 

 ries,) oaks and birches, in the following manner. He commenced 

 cutting about the first of March, and felled suc(;essive portions as 

 he found leisure, till about the first of July. That portion Avhich 

 was cut between the 18th and 80th of June, was killed to the 

 letter. Those which were cut before the leaves put forth, were 

 most prompt in the renewal of their sprouts." 



