21-2 FELT.IXG AND CONVERSION. 



beech, on the contrary, shoots hi<i:b up on the stool; for beech, 

 therefore, for alders in ground liable to inundations, and for 

 birch on poor soil, each successive fellin*,' must be made sli<,4itly 

 hipfher than the previous one. 



The yield of a coppice is maintained only by prcservinjj; the 

 strong old stools ; young seedling plants do not compensate 

 for the death of these. Old stools may be kept productive for 

 long periods, it they are cut somewhat higher at each felling. If 

 stools get covered with moss and knobbed, they may bo left up 

 to six inches high in the case of beech and other species which 

 do not produce suckers. Oaks and hornbeam, as a rule, are 

 least sensitive to bad coppicing. In the case of pollards, the 

 cut is generally slightly raised at each felling. 



viii. Woodcutters, as a rule, should not fell more trees than 

 they can convert and remove in the next three or four days. 



This tends to facilitate order and supervision, and also to 

 economise labour, for otherwise not only would they have in- 

 sufficient space in which to work, but also encroach on the space 

 of neighbouring parties, whilst the removal of the wood would 

 be delayed till all the felling was over. Only in the case of 

 thinnings or clearings should all the trees first be felled and then 

 converted into marketable sizes. 



ix. Whenever there is fear of damage by insects or fire, the 

 woodcutter is bound to clear away all wastage of broken 

 branches and twigs from the felling-area. 



Wherever the brushwood cannot l)o otherwise utilized, as in 

 remote mountain-forests, it should be collected in heaps, leaving 

 room between these for the removal of the timber. After the fell- 

 ing is over, the brushwood is often spread over the area to protect 

 the young growth from frost, heat, and cattle, or it is burned. 



X. Wherever breakage has occurred, owing to wind or snow, the 

 work of felling should commence on the side of the prevailing 

 wind and proceed in its direction. 



Clearing extensive areas covered by windfalls is often a most 

 dangerous occupation for the woodcutter. Trees crossing one 



