THE SPROUT HARDWOODS REGION 



349 



large area, occupying less than five per cent of the total for- 

 ested area. In the original forest the type was a more im- 

 portant one. It is generally distributed throughout the region 

 on steep slopes and cool exposures where there is an abundant 

 supply of atmospheric moisture. Stream gorges furnish ideal 

 locations for the type. 



Hemlock forms thirty to one hundred per cent of the com- 

 position, having as associates the chestnut oak, red oak, and 



[28. — The hemlock type in t 

 in mixture with the hemlock 



li 1 111 M mil and red oak are 

 0,000 feet, board measure, per acre. 



chestnut, though many of the other hardwoods in the region 

 may be present. 



The hemlock has a tendency to spread over areas of the 

 mixed hardwood type where the site conditions are favorable. 

 It does this by seeding beneath the hardwoods where it persists 

 and grows in the shade, due to its great tolerance. Finally if 

 not removed by fires or cutting, it will thus secure for itself a 

 place in the stand and cause a reversion to the hemlock type. 



Oftentimes the type is two storied in form with a lower story 

 of hemlock and an upper story of hardwoods. The most 

 typical natural form is even-aged, either pure hemlock or 



