PROTECTION OF WOODLANDS, 



INTRODUCTION. 



1. Definition, Aim, and Scope of Protection of Woodlands. 



UNDEK Protection of Woodlands is understood a knowledge of 

 all the dangers which in many ways threaten the well-being 

 of woodland crops, of the best means of warding off such 

 dangers and to a greater or less extent preventing damage being 

 done, and, finally, of the best practical measures to be adopted 

 for remedying or minimising damage that has actually occurred, 

 and for stopping its further extension. 



The Protection of Woodlands is the oldest and most necessary 

 branch of Forestry. That it is the oldest may be seen from the 

 ancient forest laws of centuries ago, in which the protection of 

 the woods 1 against men was the principal, and not infrequently 

 the only aim, whilst protection against domestic animals also came 

 later. To these followed decrees relative to the replanting of cleared 

 areas, and the moderate and rational utilisation of the forest 

 produce. At the same time, it is the most necessary branch of 

 forestry ; for what is the use of the most careful sowing, planting, 

 and tending of timber crops, if men, animals, and inimical forces 

 of nature are to be allowed to act unhindered in the work of 

 destruction ? Under favourable circumstances, mere protection of 

 forests is of itself at times sufficient to maintain a certain degree 

 of density of crop, as in the case of selection fellings, when due 

 protection is afforded against cattle, especially against goats. 



The nature of the dangers to which woodlands are exposed is 

 manifold, and their close consideration, together with that of the 



1 In Britain such protection of forests, following afforestation, took place at first 

 solely for the benefit of the chase. Trans. 



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