28 THE CLEARCUTTING METHOD 



a number of years. Following cutting (also after fires) such 

 seed may be released and germinate. With most species the 

 seed stored on the trees is the current seed crop. This may 

 be still on the trees or recently fallen to the ground. A uni- 

 form and complete reproduction will frequently follow where 

 this source of seed is available on the cleared area. 



Successful natural reproduction following a clearcutting 

 depends first on an abundant seed supply over the entire 

 area and second upon the existence of conditions favorable to 

 the germination of the seed and development of the young 

 seedlings. 



Since clearcutting differs more from Nature's system of 

 regeneration than do other reproduction methods, it follows 

 that the two requirements for success of the method must be 

 met with precision before natural reproduction will appear. 



In providing for an abundant seed supply the sources from 

 which seed may be expected and the probable amount must be 

 considered, as well as the natural enemies, especially rodents, 

 which may destroy the seed. In artificial seeding it is often 

 necessary to distribute poison systematically over the area 

 to be reproduced in order to kill the rodents. Such methods 

 applied just before a seed year in stands about to be repro- 

 duced naturally might be effective in increasing the seed 

 supply available for germination. No instances are known 

 where this has been done the expense being large and the 

 uncertainty great as to whether this step would guarantee 

 natural reproduction. Where seed from surrounding trees is 

 the only source the clearing must be sufficiently small (usu- 

 ally long and narrow) to allow for adequate dissemination 

 to all points. Direction of the wind at the time of seed dis- 

 persal should be known and the clearing so located that its 

 long axis is at right angles to the wind direction. 



Unless the cleared area can be made very narrow a heavy 



