114 THE SOUTHEEN APPALACHIAN FORESTS. 



In composition there is great variety. Spruce and balsam prevail on the 

 highest portions of the Black, Roan, and Sampson mountain groups. Hemlock, 

 birch, maple, cucumber, ash, buckeye, linn, and other moisture-loving trees line 

 the ravines, while oak, chestnut, gum, and other hard woods cover the ridges of 

 the higher altitudes. Oak and pine form a less dense cover, usually very brushy, 

 on the ridges of lower altitudes. The proportions of species are as follows: 



Proportions of species in Nolichucky River basin. 



Per cent. 



Oaks 40 



Hemlock : 5 



Ash 1 



Linn 3 



Birch '.. 3 



Locust 1 



Chestnut 23 



Spruce 1 



Cucumber 1 



Black gum 1 



Maple 3 



Black pine 1 



Poplar 1 



Other species 8 



White pine 3 



Buckeye 2 



Beech 1 



Hickory 2 



In forest condition there is also great variet}^ dependent largely upon the 

 prevalence of fire. Fires are freely set during autumn, winter, and spring, and 

 great injury to timber, forest seedlings, and soil results. A large proportion of 

 the timber trees are defective and much of the woodland area is imperfectly 

 stocked. 



The reproduction of trees is remarkablj'^ vigorous on cuttings, burns, and 

 old fields, and growth is rapid. The prevention of fire and the application of 

 improvement cuttings would wonderfullj^ increase the value of the forest, which 

 is the great natural resource of the mountainous portion of this basin. 



CHEROKEE AND BUFFALO MOUNTAIN DISTRICTS (WASHINGTON AND UNICOI COUNTIES, 



TENN.). 



Boundaries. On the north, the north foot of Cherokee Mountain; on the 

 east, the Watauga-Nolichucky divide; on the south, the South and Western 

 Railway; and on the west, Nolichucky River. 



