of 



While I was in camp one evening, in the midst 

 of these tree studies, the veteran pine, now dead, 

 was again struck by lightning. As everything 

 was drenched with rain, there appeared to be no 

 likelihood of fire. However, the following morn- 

 ing the old pine was ablaze. In extinguishing 

 the fire I found that it had started at the base of 

 the tree at a point where the bolt had descended 

 and entered the earth. At this place there was 

 an accumulation of bark-bits from the trunk, 

 together with fallen twigs and needles from the 

 dead tree-top. Thus a dead, inflammable tree 

 in the woods is kindling which at any moment 

 may become a torch and set fire to the surround- 

 ing green forest. Although fires frequently 

 sweep through and destroy a green forest, they 

 commonly have their start among dead trees or 

 trash. 



The pine beetle just mentioned attacks and 

 burrows into trees for the purpose of laying its 

 eggs therein. When few in number they confine 

 their attacks to trees of low vitality, those 

 that will easily succumb to their attack. The 

 speedy death of the tree and the resultant chem- 



176 



