SYLVICULTURE 



duction is not so many-sided as that of the high forest, and for that 

 reason not equally safe. 



On the other hand, allowing of shorter rotations, the timber 

 investment is much smaller than in high forest, and the returns from 

 "final yields" are more frequent. 



A comparatively small area may produce, under a coppice form, 

 a regularly sustained yield. 



The soil of the forest is frequently exposed, and shows a thin 

 layer of humus. Shallow soil is, however, sufficient for the welfare 

 of a coppice forest. 



The water-retaining capacity of the coppice forest is small. 



Coppice forest is less exposed to storm, fire, snow, and insects 

 (being broad-leafed usually), and more exposed to late and early 

 frosts than high forest. As a stock pasture, it is much more pro- 

 ductive than high forest; but also much more damaged by pasture. 



The expense of regeneration and of pedagogy is slight. The 

 species forming shoots from below the ground and those forming root- 

 suckers usually allow of long rotations. 



Paragraph LXXII. Coppice forests by species. 



A. Oaks: 



I. Culled Oak coppice: 



Culled Oak coppice is usually fire-culled. The stumps do not 

 tire of emitting shoots after each fire. Still, the shoots become weak, 

 stunted and bushy-crowned and refuse to grow in diameter as well 

 as in height. 



It is remarkable to find that these worthless shoots may be re- 

 placed by strong shoots after coppicing with the axe. 



The poorer the fire-culled Oak coppice, the greater is the improve- 

 ment obtainable by axe-coppicing. 



II. Cultured Oak Coppice: 



In Europe, Oak coppice is the form in which Oak bark is raised 

 for tanning purposes, under a rotation of fifteen to twenty-five years. 



In America, coppiced Oak is used only for charcoal and fire- 

 wood rarely for railroad ties. Rotations yielding ties will not allow 

 of ready reproduction under the coppice form, unless the soil is very 

 strong. 



At Biltmore, Post Oak three inches through, White Oak ten 

 inches through, Black Oak and Scarlet Oak twelve inches through 

 are unlikely to sprout. 



A rotation of not to exceed forty years seems indicated. Such 

 a rotation might also yield hoop poles, poles for splitwood fabrics 

 and minor wagonstock. 



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