54 



PRELIMINARY STUDY OF 



CHESTNUT OAK.* 



The rate of growth of chestnut oak is slower both in height and diameter than 

 that of any of the associated oaks. This and its intolerance account for its being 

 so largely excluded from the shady coves. Table 5 shows the development in 

 diameter, total height, and clear length of trees in the virgin forest of the slope 

 type in Polk and Monroe Counties, Tenn. The growth, as shown in this table, 

 seems, on comparison with measurements made in other portions of the region 

 of slope, ridge, and cove trees, to represent about the average rate of growth for 

 virgin timber throughout the region. Second-growth trees and trees which have 

 had more favorable light conditions in culled forests would show much more 

 rapid diameter increment at least. 



TABLE 5. TOTAL HEIGHT, CLEAR LENGTH, AND DIAMETER GROWTH OF VIRGIN 

 CHESTNUT OAK IN POLK AND MONROE COUNTIES, TENN. 



* Circular 135, " Chestnut Oak in the Southern Appalachians." 



