FOREST MANAGEMENT 



65 



notwithstanding a better market, the cuttings have been in 

 reality light improvement fellings, in which only dead and 

 diseased trees are removed. The reproduction is occasionally 



Fig. 12. — Virgin zeen-oak forest in Algeria, Constantine Conservation. 



assisted by wounding the soil, particularly where it is covered 

 with sod. 



The oaks used for cord wood, such as the holm oak, are gen- 

 erally coppiced. Rotations as high as 54 years have been used, 

 but found too long; 30 years is now recommended as preferable. 

 The coppice method is varied in (a) overmature stands and 

 (b) with very young poles. 



The procedure in each of these methods is as follows: (a) 

 Where pasturage has kept young growth from coming in and 

 the remaining stand is mature; instead of an ordinary coppice 

 felling, the stump is removed down to a depth of 50 or 60 cen- 

 timetres (20 to 24 inches). This frees the large roots, and, 

 instead of having one old stump with a weak sprouting capacity, 

 there are a number of large roots which may yield vigorous 

 shoots or suckers. This is known as the method of "culee 

 noire." 



(b) On the other hand, when the stand coppiced is only 3 to 

 5 centimetres (1.2 to 2 inches) in diameter, the young stems 



