FOREST CONDITIONS IN TENNESSEE. 35 



results in both directions. Grass will grow but very sparsely under 

 trees which are close enough together to produce good timber, so 

 that pasture land should be cleared except for a few scattered, wind- 

 firm, shade trees. On the other hand, woodlands should be kept 

 fairly dense, and no attempt should be made to graze them heav- 

 ily. It is especially necessary to keep out all live stock during a 

 period when it is desired to establish a young growth of trees. 

 Hogs are particularly destructive in such a period, since they de- 

 vour the seed of nut-bearing species and root up many young seed- 

 lings. 



All of these questions, however, require further investigation un- 

 der the special conditions that prevail in different sections. Also a 

 great deal of educational work is needed in order to acquaint the 

 people with the fundamental principles of forest management. 

 More accurate information should be obtained in regard to the 

 growth and requirements of the important species, such as chest- 

 nut, yellow poplar, Spanish oak, black oak, hickory, and short-leaf 

 pine. Methods of thinning and otherwise improving the even-aged 

 stands on furnace lands in the western part of the Highland Rim 

 should also be studied. 



CENTRAL BASIN. 



Although the Central Basin does not contain nearly enough land 

 which can profitably be devoted to raising timber to supply its own 

 needs, it nevertheless presents certain problems in forest manage- 

 ment that are of local importance. Many of the small pasture and 

 ornamental groves are dying out because of the old age of the trees, 

 or changes in drainage, or other conditions. The usual sod of blue 

 grass, the trampling of stock, and close pasturage, prevent natural 

 restocking with young trees. This might be secured by breaking 

 UD the sod and excluding stock. Such treatment is not usually ad- 

 visable, however, since satisfactory results can be obtained by plant- 

 ing in small groups and leaving the greater part of the grass un- 

 disturbed. Of course, all seedlings must be fenced for protection 

 until they are large enough so that stock will not injure them. In 

 regard to the present stand, the cutting must be made with a view 

 to keeping as many of the older trees as long as possible. The 

 strengthening of decrepit old trees by mechanical means, as well as 

 pruning, may often be justified because of their ornamental value. 

 Such measures, however, belong to the field of arboriculture rather 

 than of forestry. 



