THE SPROUT HARDWOODS REGION 



347 



from pure stands of oak to pure stands of chestnut occur. The 

 quality of the site is the governing factor in controlling the 

 composition. On dry, shallow soils the oak becomes pure; on 

 deep, well-drained loams chestnut can be expected in pure 

 stands. On soils of medium depth the oak and chestnut meet 

 on equal terms. The oaks included in the type are the white, 



By permission of (he Connecticut Stale Forester. 



Fig. 127. — A pure stand of chestnut, estimated to contain 22,000 feet, board measure, per 

 acre. (The mixed hardwoods type.) 



chestnut, red, black, and scarlet. It is not uncommon to find 

 pure stands of chestnut oak alone on dry ridges, though mix- 

 tures of several species are more usual. 



Other trees, such as hickory and soft maple, are characteristic 

 though usually in a subordinate position. Occasionally hickory 

 is found nearly pure, over small areas. The number of species 

 in a single stand is greatest on the best sites, while on the 

 shallowest soils only a few species grow. On third quality sites 

 chestnut oak and hickory predominate. 



