THE SPROUT HARDWOODS REGION 



357 



reproduction is wanted to fill the gaps, and also because a forest 

 will eventually deteriorate if reproduced by sprouts alone. 



On the poorest of the third quality sites also the simple 

 coppice system will be the best. Since the stand in these situ- 

 ations is mainly oak and hickory, whose sprouting capacity 

 rapidly decreases with age, the system should be based on a 

 lower rotation, forty years or under. The growth is slow and 

 the product grown will only be cord wood, even though a much 



Fig- ^33- — A reproduction cutting in the mixed hardwoods type in a 60 year 

 oak. Approximately 40 per cent of the volume has been removed. 



longer rotation were used. As the third quality sites are mainly 

 on ridges and steep slopes they are usually expensive to lumber. 

 Therefore it will not pay to make thinnings, which, because of 

 the slow growth, could furnish but a small yield per acre. The 

 cost of the logging is also a strong argument in favor of the 

 simple coppice system, as under it the stand is entirely removed 

 in one operation, and reproduction assured. 



Except on these extremely poor soils and where the stand 

 is largely chestnut another system of reproduction is recom- 

 mended. This is the polewood sprout system, which has been 

 described in the chapter on " Silvicultural Systems." It is 



