60 THE SHELTERWOOD METHOD 



a benefit is a hindrance to the growth of the seedlings. It 

 becomes necessary to remove the remainder of the old stand, 

 giving the new stand possession of the area and opportunity 

 to develop in the evenaged form. 



The whole process, including the securing of natural repro- 

 duction, its protection and final release from shelter, is accom- 

 plished within a relatively short period. 



Several cuttings (at least two and sometimes six to ten) 

 under intensive management, are required in applying the 

 shelterwood method. They may be classed under three 

 heads, as follows: 



Preparatory cuttings which prepare for reproduction. 

 Seed cuttings which accomplish the reproduction. 

 Removal cuttings which aid the development of the 

 seedlings. 



The detailed application of the method can best be pre- 

 sented by taking up each of these cuttings in turn. 



Preparatory Cuttings. If natural reproduction is to start 

 under the old stand a supply of seed must be available and 

 site conditions be favorable for germination of seed and estab- 

 lishment of seedlings. 



With the entire stand available as a source of seed supply 

 there should be an abundance of seed for restocking the area. 

 In very dense stands where the best individual trees possess 

 short narrow crowns and are poor seed producers, preparatory 

 cuttings may be needed to encourage an enlargement of the 

 crowns, to assist assimilation and as a consequence stimulate 

 an increased production of seed. Ordinarily preparatory cut- 

 tings are not needed for this purpose. Their principal func- 

 tion is to create ideal site conditions for the germination of 

 seed. In closed stands there is apt to be too thick and dry a 

 forest floor for seedlings to get their roots down into. the soil. 



