Reforestation in Xortliern Arizona 



107 



Forestation of parks or areas devoid of trees, which occur 

 in the pure Western Yellow Pine type, is of great importance. In 

 many instances forestation of these areas is not desirable on ac- 

 count of their agricultural value. Some attribute the presence of 

 these parks to the results of fire, winds or soil conditions and in 

 some instances to old lake beds. The soil of these parks is very 

 rich and is mixed with many broken volcanic rock fragments. A 

 layer of hard pan which occurs at different depths below the 

 surface soil, in places is far enough below the surface to render 

 the soil well adapted to agricultural pursuits. 



Planting in parks until two years ago proved a failure, 

 chiefly because of poor quality of stock. To ascertain whether 

 the physical factors were the causes of the dying of the plants a 

 shelter made of boards was erected in a large park at right 

 angles to the direction of the prevailing wind. Select lJ/ 1 

 transplants were planted by the "mound method" on opposite 

 sides of the shelter. Counts later in the season showed only a 

 negligible difference between the two sides, and soil-moisture 

 samples taken on both sides of the shelter at intervals of approx- 

 imately one month apart showed no appreciable difference. For 

 extensive plantings it probably would cost too much to erect 

 suitable artificial shelters, but results show that probably all that 

 is necessary is to grow plants with excellent root systems, which 

 can withstand adverse climatic conditions. 



In the Transition type large areas once covered with good 

 stands of trees have been devastated by fires. These areas serve 

 as water sheds for towns and consequently are in need of artifi- 

 cial reforestation to give the best protection and at the same 

 time to be raising the most valuable crop. Where Aspen has 

 taken possession of parts of the burned areas, it serves to pro- 



