ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 77 



which require restocking or groups of reproduction which 

 need shelter, together with the length of time before the 

 second cut, govern the selection of the trees to be retained. 

 Ten to 50 years after the seed cutting a second one called 

 the final cutting is made, taking out all the remaining trees 

 of the old stand, completing the reproduction cuttings and 

 producing an evenaged stand. A 50 year interval between 

 the two cuts is altogether too long for the best silvicultural 

 results, even on a long rotation such as 200 years. Wherever 

 market and logging conditions permit, the final cutting should 

 follow the first within 20 years. 



Advantages and Disadvantages of the Method. Advan- 

 tages. i. Heavy seeded species whose seeds are distributed 

 principally by gravity can be successfully reproduced as well 

 as light seeded species. Shelterwood thus stands in contrast 

 to the clearcutting and seed tree methods under which it is 

 difficult if not impossible to secure adequate dissemination of 

 heavy seeds. 



2. Reproduction is more complete and certain than under 

 the other methods of high forest which produce evenaged 

 stands (clearcutting and seed tree methods). This is because 

 of the greater number of seed trees which are present during 

 the time reproduction is being established and the resulting 

 larger crops of seed produced and available on all parts of the 

 area. 



3. Shelterwood is only exceeded by selection in its protec- 

 tive value. The ground is never bare of a forest cover. Even 

 during the period of regeneration the old stand furnishes pro- 

 tection until reproduction is fully established against erosion, 

 landslides, snowslides and rapid runoff of water. Excessive 

 growths of grass and herbaceous cover are kept in check, 

 while seedlings are sheltered from the drying influence of sun 

 and wind and from injury by frost. Less injury from insects 



