FOREST PLANTING AND SEEDING 7 1 



3. The conifers yield more lumber to the acre in a given length 

 of time than deciduous species, because the trees stand closer 

 together and grow faster. 



4. Much of the land to be planted is of very light soil and is, 

 therefore, better adapted to such trees as the pine than to any 

 other species. 



The question of the proper spacing of trees is one which has 

 led to endless discussion on the part of European foresters, and it 

 must be decided in every case according to the owner's particular 

 aims. In many of the early German plantations the trees were 

 spaced not farther than one meter (three feet) apart. The 

 general tendency to-day, even in Europe where nursery stock 

 and labor are still comparatively cheap, is toward more open 

 spacing, and the practice thus far in New England is to plant 

 about five or six feet apart. 



For most purposes a spacing of six by six feet is recommended. 



The following table gives the number of trees required to 

 stock one acre when set at different distances apart. 



Distance of spacing Number of trees per acre 



3 by 3 feet 4840 



4 by 4 feet 2723 



5 by 5 feet 1742 



6 by 6 feet 1210 



7 by 7 feet 889 



The general principles underlying spacing may be stated here 

 and the planter may judge for himself what distance best meets 

 his own requirements. Close planting forces the trees up in 

 order to secure light, and thus produces a rapid height growth. 

 At the same time it kills the lower limbs for lack of light, thus 

 causing natural pruning. The result is a long, slender log fairly 

 free from knots. Open planting, on the other hand, produces a 

 large-branch system, a rapid diameter growth, especially near 

 the base, and a rather slow height growth. The result is a short, 

 thick log tapering rapidly from base to top and rather knotty. 

 For the production of high-grade lumber the former is evidently 

 to be advised; for a heavy production of fuel wood, pulp wood, 



