SYLVICULTUEE 



The improvement cutting yields timber of all sorts and of all 

 sizes obtained from the various age-classes. 



The improvement cutting does not regularly intend to help re- 

 generation. Frequently, of course, the stumps of trees removed by 

 the improvement cutting form sprouts partaking in the coppice-tier. 



D. Pruning: Dead branches of the overwood trees might be re- 

 moved to develop timber clear of dead knots. 



Live branches of overwood trees formed low on the bole are re- 

 moved to lessen the intensity of the shade to which the underwood 

 and the seedlings imbedded therein are locally subjected. 



The members of the overwood, owing to their free position, are 

 apt to form and to retain heavy branches. The act of pruning in 

 coppice under-staiidavds corresponds with that described in section 

 sixty-three for high forest. 



The coppice is pruned only in rare instances, f. i., for the im- 

 provement of oak tanbark. 



E. Thinnings are sometimes indicated in dense coppice in order 

 to increase the food and light supply of the youngest age-class of 

 overwood imbedded in the coppice; or in order to increase gradually 

 the air space surrounding the members of that class, so as not to 

 subject them to the shock of sudden exposure at the time of cop- 

 picing: or to obtain the ends of Par. LXII. A., especially where 

 the overwood classes appear in groups; or to improve the quality and 

 the quantity of the bark in tanbark coppice. 



In all cases, the thinning must yield a surplus revenue. 



Paragraph LXXV. Key to the forms of coppice-under-standards 

 forests. 



The primeval woods do not contain any form of coppice under 

 standards. In culled hardwood forests, on the other hand, these 

 forms are almost regularly met with. 



A. Culled forms of coppice under standards. 



I. Characteristics: Primeval hardwood forests are usually 

 paucivendible only. After lumbering the merchantable species and 

 sizes, a rank growth of coppice shoots frequently enters an appear- 

 ance under the assistance of fires, overshadowed by poles and trees 

 of all age-classes devoid of present value. Many individuals of the 

 overwood are badly burned; or are hollow, fungus decayed, worm 

 riddled, etc. 



Thus whilst the underwood consists of fire coppice or shoots 

 sprouting from the stumps of merchantable trees, the overwood con- 

 sists of undesirable species and of immature trees usually crippled 

 by firing and felling. In addition, there are plenty of weed trees 



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