12 SHORTLEAF PINE IN VIRGINIA 



MANAGEMENT 



Forest management as applied to old-field stands may be sum- 

 marized as the use of any methods of restocking, cutting, or thin- 

 ning which will reduce the cost of growing timber or add to the 

 value of the timber grown. 



Natural stands are usually either understocked, at least in 

 certain phases or during certain periods of growth, or else over- 

 crowded. 



The maximum growth is obtained by maintaining such a mum-* 

 ber of trees to the acre as will utilize the full capacity of the soil 

 and at the same time secure the best development of the individual 

 trees. Understocked stands do not use the full capacity of the soil 

 and must be filled out to the required density by planting in the 

 thin places. In crowded stands, on the other hand, the indi- 

 vidual trees are retarded; they must be thinned in order to make 

 them grow at their best rate. These requirements of the stand 

 are discussed in connection with the subjects of thinnings and 

 planting. 



Another phase of management is cutting at the period of ma- 

 turity as determined by either maximum yield or value. The rate 

 of growth or accretion of a stand is not the same at all ages. The 

 yearly growth rapidly increases from nearly nothing to a maxi- 

 mum, then slowly declines. When the rate of annual growth be- 

 gins to decline, a loss in yield is entailed if cutting is deferred. 

 The time at which the maximum of the average annual yield is 

 obtained varies with the size of the timber which is desired; it 

 would not be the same for lumber, which requires large timber, as 

 for cordwood, for which small timber can be used. But while it is 

 desirable to obtain the maximum annual yield from a stand, the 

 cost of production is a factor which cannot be neglected. 



The cost of production embraces the interesjt on the investment, 

 the taxes, superintendence, protection, and the making of improve- 

 ment cuttings and thinnings. As far as the needs of owners and 

 the market conditions allow, a stand should be cut at financial 

 maturity, that is, when it yields the best returns on the investment. 

 These phases of management are considered in connection with 

 yields of stands at different ages, and with the cost of growing 

 timber. One of the most important considerations in manage- 

 ment is the method employed for obtaining a prompt renewal of 

 the stand in order to prevent the loss of interest on the investment 

 by the idleness of the land. 



