of 



lives, ever ready to spread insects and disease 

 among the healthy trees. 



Every part of the tree suffers; even its roots 

 are cut to pieces and consumed. Caterpillars, 

 grubs, and beetles specialize on defoliation and 

 feed upon the leaves, the lungs of the trees. The 

 partial defoliation of the tree is devitalizing, and 

 the loss of all its leaves commonly kills it. Not 

 only is the tree itself attacked but also its efforts 

 toward reproduction. The dainty bloom is food 

 for a number of insect beasts, while the seed is 

 fed upon and made an egg-depository by other 

 enemies. Weevils, blight, gall, ants, aphids, 

 and lice prey upon it. The seed drops upon the 

 earth into another army that is hungry and wait- 

 ing to devour it. The moment it sprouts it is 

 gnawed, stung, bitten, and bored by ever-active 

 fiends. 



Many forest trees are scarred in the base by 

 ground fires. These trees are entered by insects 

 through the scars and become sources of rot and 

 insect infection. Although these trees may for a 

 time live on, it is with a rotten heart or as a mere 

 hollow shell. A forest fire that sweeps raging 



186 



