June, 1942] 



University of Nf.w Hampshire 



13 



GROWTH 



Annual production for the area is at the rate of 10,553 cords for 

 all species. There is considerable variation in growth rates among 

 types and among towns, depending upon the age, the degree of stock- 

 ing, and the relative growth r,ates 'of different species. The possibili- 

 ties of increasing growth over a period of years are considerable. Al- 

 though no concrete figures are available for this locality, research has 

 indicated that a mean annual increment much greater than the present 

 increment is feasible for the farm woodlands. Present growth rates 

 vary from one-tenth of a cord per acre per year for some hardwoods 

 to slightly over three-tenths for some softwoods. 



It is reasonable to expect that farmers can increase the mean 

 annual growth by three to four times the present rate by adopting 

 approved management practices. At the same time, the quality of 

 the timber would be vastly improved. This would be most important 

 for that portion of the industrial wood, mostly hardwood, which ul- 

 timately goes into lumber. The increased growth and volume of soft- 

 woods would be more important than improvement in quality, which 

 would come naturally as the result of forest management, because 

 these species go mainly for pulpwood. A reduction in the percentage 

 of fir in the softwood stands and the transferring of the growth to 

 better species can be classed as an improvement in quality and is of 

 considerable importance from the standpoint of marketing pulpwood 

 at the local mills. Although fir is acceptable in limited quantities, 

 spruce is much preferred by the industry. 



In predicting future returns from forest management, certain 

 basic data were used. The woodland was first classified according to 

 its future use and cover type. For each of these types, the age of 

 maturity, average volume per acre, mean annual growth, and percent 

 of the total volume suitable for industrial use were determined. These 

 figures have been arrived at after discussing the matter with foresters 

 having considerable experience in the region working with local types 

 and species. The information for those types which can be improved 

 is given in Table 3. 



Table 3. Growth data for different land use classes and cover types. 



Maturity Average Mean Percentage 

 age^ volume annual industrial 



per acre growth" wood 



^ Age at which trees will be ready for cutting. 

 - Softwood: -\- 95 c\\. ft. ^^i 1 cord; 



Hardwood: _|_ 85 cu. ft. =:: 1 cord. 

 3 Does not include swamp spruce type. 



