THE ART OF THE SECOND GROWTH 



d. Duration: The duration of the final stage depends on species, 

 on quality of soil, on success of seeding cutting, on occurrence of 

 subsequent seed years and on climate. A tender, slow-growing and 

 shade-bearing species allows of a protracted period of removal. 



A few trees left in isolated positions are apt to damage the 

 young growth by the reflection of the sun's rays from the bark; 

 this is the ease especially in species having a whitish bark (Beech, 

 Maple, Birch, Silver Fir). 



e. Marking for final removal: Broad-leaved trees should be 

 marked in summer whilst the trees and the young growth are in 

 leaf. . 



By the first final felling none but small trees shall be removed, 

 after Hess. From the second fall (after the seed cutting) on, the 

 seedlings being stronger at that time, it is wise to take the largest 

 trees. 



f. Season: The cutting of the mother trees should take place 

 when snow covers the ground, so as to do the least possible damage 

 to the yoimg growth. Fellings must be discontinued during hard 

 frost. Broad-leafed species should not be cut before leaves are 

 dropped as they will do more damage to their progeny when felled 

 in leaf. 



Hess is in favor of cutting in fall, claiming that the young 

 growth at that time is particularly tough and elastic. He does 

 not attribute much weight to the presence of snow unless it covers 

 the young 'growth entirely. 



g. Stumps and roots: If the trees are dug. out by the roots, the 

 force with which they hit the ground is considerably lessened. 



In coniferous forests, many parasitic insects breed in stumps, 

 and in that case it may be necessary to dig them out of the ground, 

 or to poison them. 



Where the tree is entirely surroimded by young growth, digging 

 should be prohibited. 



h. How to fell a tree: The tree to be cut should be thrown onto 

 that place where it is likely to do the least damage — especially onto 

 " blanks." It is wise to throw the crowns of several trees onto the 

 same spot so as to centralize the damage. On the other hand, many 

 sylviculturists prefer to throw the crowns of the trees into the very 

 thickest young growth, claiming that the damage thereby done is 

 considerably less, and that many youngsters will be left undamaged. 



i. Standards: In many cases, a few trees are left standing for 

 a second rotation. Such trees are called " standards." Standards 

 of Oak, Pine and Ash are frequently found. They should not be 



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