THE SPROUT HARDWOODS REGION 355 



country districts. In the white pine region the large areas 

 covered with pine, which is used for other purposes, reduces the 

 amount of cordwood to be disposed of and makes easier the 

 disposal of what is cut. 



The abundant supply of cordwood in the sprout hardwoods 

 region of course keeps the price low, and makes the disposal of 

 cordwood the hardest and often the most important problem in 

 the management of a tract. 



; The species of the greatest commercial importance in the 

 region is chestnut, which until recent years has been the tree 

 to favor in management. The chestnut bark disease (discussed 

 in Chapter VII) has spread so generally through the region and 

 been so destructive in its work as to reduce the value of the tree 

 for management. In Fairfield County, Connecticut, where the 

 disease first appeared in New England, practically all the chest- 

 nut has been destroyed. If this continues its virulent spread for 

 a few more years all the chestnut in the region will be destroyed 

 and of course the tree cannot then be considered as one to be 

 encouraged in management. But if the progress of the disease 

 is stopped by natural causes within a few years, as some author- 

 ities expect, chestnut may still be favored. 



Red oak, on account of its rapid growth, commercial value, 

 and general distribution, is the second best tree to favor, and 

 the other oaks are to be encouraged on certain sites. 



When present white ash and white pine should be given 

 preference over all other trees. 



For the best financial returns a change from hardwood forest 

 to coniferous forest is demanded. This was suggested in con- 

 nection with the northern hardwoods region, and, as there, can 

 be brought about only by planting. Many of the sites now 

 yielding only hardwood cordwood could be so handled as to 

 produce coniferous lumber. 



If the region was occupied by forests of fast-growing conifers 

 no portion would be so poorly situated as to prevent intensive 

 management. 



Planting on open lands is already in progress. Such lands 



