22 CHESTNUT IN TENNESSEE. 



is also a vigorous sprouting species. The poorer the site, the less 

 is the difference in the rate of growth between chestnut and chest- 

 nut oak, since chestnut oak is less affected by a poor condition than 

 is chestnut. Managed as sprout forests, these sites can produce 

 timber large enough for extract stock in a comparatively short 

 time, while many trees will become large enough for ties and a 

 few for poles. On the Cumberland tableland, where mine props 

 are used, much of the small timber can be cut for this purpose. The 

 production of larger timber for sawlogs is not advisable, since the 

 growth of the trees becomes too slow after reaching a diameter 

 of 14 to 16 inches. Stands should be cut close, but seedling chestnut 

 8 inches or less in diameter should be left in a first cutting in order 

 that they may replace exhausted stumps and become old enough to 

 seed. Seed trees of red oak, chestnut oak, and yellow pine should 

 also be left. 



When there is no market for tannic extract stock the timber on 

 the ridges should be managed for tie production in sprout stands. 

 It should be managed as seedling stands for sawtimber only where 

 there is no possibility of marketing smaller material which can be 

 grown from sprouts. 



In slopes and hollows the rate of growth is usually equal to, or 

 better than that on second-quality sites. On tracts at a distance 

 from shipping points, chestnut should be managed only for saw- 

 timber, poles, or ties, and old timber should be cut in the same 

 general manner as on the ridges. Seedling reproduction should be 

 encouraged. The old tress should be cut, as nearly as market con- 

 ditions will permit to a minimum diameter of 20 inches for sawtim- 

 ber, but to 14 inches for ties. All crooked and defective trees which 

 can be used should be cut. As the quality of the soil improves, chest- 

 nut becomes relatively less valuable than some other species, such 

 as popular and white pine, and these should be favored so as to have 

 a mixed stand of chestnut and these species. 



Near shipping points poles are relatively more valuable than 

 sawtimber, and where there is a certain market for poJes old tim- 

 ber should be cut to a diameter of 14 inches, and sprout reproduc- 

 tion, supplemented by seedlings, encouraged. However, it is always 

 adv: sable to reserve a few large trees of poplar, white pine, red 

 oak or ash. 



