44 IMPORTANT TIMBER TREES 



food, and moisture. And this struggle causes them to as- 

 sume a different shape and form when growing in close 

 proximity to unwelcome neighbors from that taken when 

 not so crowded. In the effort to overtop their companions 

 and obtain the needed light, they grow tall, their lower limbs 

 die and drop off, and the result is that such trees become 

 valuable for lumber much more so than if grown in the 

 open and this warfare inures to the benefit of man- 

 kind. We have thus far reaped the fruits of a conflict 

 which has been constantly kept up in our virgin forests, 

 and it will most certainly be to our advantage so to plant 

 in the future that the contest for supremacy will be con- 

 tinued. Naturally conditions of soil, climate, and location 

 have caused certain species to segregate and grow by them- 

 selves, or with others whose needs are similar. In some re- 

 gions none but broadleaf trees can be found, in others those 

 with needle-like leaves, the conifers mainly, while in 

 others they are intermingled. 



It was seldom, except west of the Mississippi River, that 

 the battle was fought to a finish, so that one species alone 

 enjoyed any considerable area of ground, but where it has 

 been the name of " Pure Stand" is applied, and where the 

 forest is of mingled species it is known as a " Mixed Stand." 

 The latter is the rule and the former the exception, and 

 when we contemplate planting a forest we must determine 

 which of the two systems we will adopt. In other words, we 

 must decide whether we will mix conifers with broadleaf 

 trees, or one species of conifers with another, or mingle 

 broadleaf trees with each other, or those demanding light 

 with those that are capable of enduring more or less shade, 

 for it is only in the struggle for light that we can con- 

 trol, or, on the other hand, whether we will keep separate 

 or make close neighbors of light-demanding and shade- 

 enduring trees. If we mingle them at all we must decide to 

 what extent and what species we will make close compan- 

 ions and associates, even though it be against their wishes. 

 All this must be taken into account when we plant the for- 



