CARE OF THE WOODLAND 203 



the U. S. Forest Service also undertakes such tree studies 

 as lie beyond the power or means of private individuals. 

 It thus stands ready to cooperate with all who need assistance. 



STUDY II. CARE OF THE WOODLAND 



Almost every farm, large private estate or park has a 

 wooded area for the purpose of supplying fuel or for 

 enhancing the landscape effect of the place. In most 

 instances these wooded areas are entirely neglected or are so 

 improperly cared for as to cause injury rather than good. 

 In but very few cases is provision made for a future growth 

 of trees after the present stock has gone. Proper attention 

 will increase and perpetuate a crop of good trees just as 

 it will any other crop on the farm, while the attractiveness 

 of the place may be greatly enhanced through the intelligent 

 planting and care of trees. 



How to judge the conditions: A close examination of 

 the wooded area may reveal some or all of the following 

 unfavorable conditions : 



The trees may be so crowded that none can grow well. 

 A few may have grown to large size but the rest usually 

 are decrepit, and overtopped by the larger trees. They 

 are, therefore, unable, for the want of light and space, to 

 develop into good trees. Fig. 139 shows woodland in 

 such condition. 



There may also be dead and dying trees, trees infested 

 with injurious insects and fungi and having any number 

 of decayed branches. The trees may be growing so far 

 apart that their trunks will be covered with suckers as far 

 down as the ground, or there may be large, open gaps with 

 no trees at all. Here the sun, striking with full force, may 



