56 TIMBER PINES OF THE SOUTHEBX UNITED STATES. 



in the annexed tables, exhibiting the rate of growth of the tree during its most active stage. 

 With the increasing accretion of wood the annual rings become sharply defined, leaving no doubt 

 as to the age of the tree. 



To make sure as to the relation between the annual rings and the age of the tree, the age of 

 second growth was ascertained by close inquiries directed to settlers who knew the time that had 

 elapsed since this second growth made its appearance in the abandoned fields or in the forest. 

 Ill every instance it was found that the number of rings accorded closely with the information 

 elicited. 



To ascertain the ditlerence in rate of growth and (|uality of wood between trees grown njion 

 ground once turned by the plow and those sprung ui) in the original forest on the same soil, 

 several trees of nearly the same size were felled in what clearly appeared to be the remnant of 

 virgin forest, and in a grove grown up in a field abandoned years ago.' It was made evident 

 that trees in the original forest required almost double the length of time to attain the same 

 dimension. 



A field covered with saplings quite uniform in growth and known to have been thrown out of 

 cultivation during the years 1.SG3 and 18(54 afforded a good oi)portunity for these investigations. 

 A number of trees, varying in diameter between lOi and 11 inches, and in height between 4.5 and 

 no feet, showed from 30 to 3~> rings of growth. The length of the spring shoots on the main stem 

 oi' these trees was found (June 8) to be from 21 to 24 in(;hes. 



In another fine grove, covering a field which was known to have been cultivated for the last 

 time during the years 1S.')5 and IS.'iO, a number of trees were cut down for nieasureinent. The 

 number of rings was found not to exceed 48. These trees also showed great uniformity in size, 

 measuring near the base Hi to 12 inclies in diameti-r and from G8 to 72 feet in height. The wood 

 was sappy throughout and useless, except for fuel and for making charcoal. For this purpose 

 the laud is rented at $4 to $5 per acre. In this grove, ranking as best pine-woods laud, the soil 

 of which was nearly level, well drained, and with a light, loamy subsoil, 110 trees of the above 

 dimensions were counted on 1 acre. 



Among the trees taken from the forest for determining the difference between forest growth 

 and field trees, one measuring 12 inches in diameter and 70 feet in height showed 85 rings of 

 annual growth, with 9.i inches of heartwood. Two others, 14 and 15 inches in diameter and 70 

 and 71 feet high, showed 00 rings each. The shoots of the year (June 8) on the primary and 

 lateral axes of these trees were found to be but little over 1 inch in length. 



In a third grove, upon poor, sandy, undulating ground, a number of trees below medium size 

 were found cut down to serve for posts and logs. In 25 of these trees the diameter varied between 

 7i^ and 8 inches, with a nearly uniform height of GO to 02 feet, the first limb being IS to 20 feet above 

 the ground. The number of rings varied between 48 and 50. The forests in the same vicinity were 

 stripped of their more valuable timber a number of years before. The largest trees of the original 

 forest growth remaining were from 12 to 15 inches in diameter. Several were brought down for 

 measurement and found to be 73 feet in height by 14 inches in diameter, with 12G rings and 9 inches 

 of heartwood; 73 feet in height by 13 inches in diameter, with 94 rings and G inches of heartwood; 

 and 89 feet in height by 14 inches in diameter, with 107 rings and S inches of heartwood. 



When the tree has reached its second decade it begins to produce flowers and fruit. Having 

 during the course of the following ten to fifteen years reached a length of from 40 to 45 feet, with 

 the main stem clear of limbs, the growth of branches does not jiroceed with the same regularity; 

 consequently, they are no longer arranged in regular wlioils, but appear irregularly, and thus the 

 symmetry of the tree is lost. 



' On tlie rolling jjine uplauda near Spring Hill, Mobile (bounty. 



