508 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



November 



grew. Upon analysis of sample plots 

 the growth was found to be much 

 slower than seedlings grown in the 

 open. The reproduction here was not 

 pure loclgepole, being formed of sev- 

 eral species. 



From a study of three typical sam- 

 ple acres, the following figures were 

 obtained : 



Number of Seedlings and Species on Three Sample 

 Acres Partial Shade. 



the stand of poles. The pole forest 

 is very dense. A mature stand is 

 close grown, though not particularly 

 or necessarily dense, as the foliage of 

 the lodgepole is very thin. The dens- 

 ity of the old wood diminishes very 

 slowly because of the persistent char- 

 acter of the species. This persistency 

 in growth, and even competition of 

 lodgepole, hinders proper natural thin- 

 ning, and, consequently, best develop- 

 ment of merchantable timber. For 

 these, lodgepole pine patches of pole 

 stuff to become merchantable log size 

 timber is a very slow process, and oft- 

 en requires a hundred years. The trees 

 in the pole forest grow exceedingly 

 close together, and growth is so even 

 all through that the process of thin- 



Old Burn in Lodgepole Pine Forest on Lower Slope of Sleeping Cap Mountain. Shows 

 Reproduction of Same Species from Cones on Fire Killed Trees. 



The development of "pole patches," 

 resulting in the pole forest, is the di- 

 rect outcome of reproduction on burn- 

 ed ground. A peculiar fact is noted 

 in regard to the density of mature 

 forests of lodgepole in relation with 



ning of less vigorous trees by suppres- 

 sion is very slow. Two to six inch 

 trees, averaging ninety years of age, 

 are common in one of these pole patch- 

 es. A ninety-year-old tree in the or- 

 dinary forest is comparatively large 



