178 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



A method of thinning a woodlot which foresters term the French 

 method, can be used in many stands to advantage. The idea is to select 

 from 200 to 250 trees per acre, depending on the species, soil, etc., to form 

 your final crop, and to remove all weed trees or defective specimens which 

 are in any way interfering with the growth of these selected trees. By cut- 

 ting away the trees crowding and competing with them, all of the growing 

 energy will be forced into the straight, thrifty stems which remain, with 

 the result that the succeeding years' growth rings will be laid on the trees 

 of greatest value. In this way railroad ties may be secured at thirty-five 

 years, whereas if left untouched, they would not reach sufficient size until 

 forty-five or fifty years. 



For the final result, the technical quality of the species (including 

 local demand), the growth rate and the condition of the individual tree 

 determine whether or not it should be removed. Briefly summarized, 

 the points to be kept in mind in making a thinning are as follows: 



1. Leave straight, fast-growing, thrifty trees of most valuable species. 



2. Avoid making holes in the canopy that will not be filled within 



five years by the natural growth of the crowns. (Excessive 

 exposure of the soil to sunlight causes drying out of the soil, 

 a rapid growth of weeds and diminished volume growth.) 



3. In case of doubt, leave a tree, as it may be taken out at the time 



of the next thinning. 



Reproduction Cuttings. The previously described cuttings are 

 designed primarily to hasten growth and to improve the composition of 

 the stand. The reproducing of the stand is not iitfended, although a heavy 

 improvement cutting in a woodlot old enough to produce seed may result 

 in a fine stand of young seedlings the next spring. This is by accident 

 rather than by design. 



In certain of the Middle Western states where grazing is permitted in 

 the woodlot as a matter of course, where fires and bad cuttings have ex- 

 hausted and compacted the soils, reproduction cuttings are out of the 

 question. Only weed trees or old and decrepit specimens of desirable 

 varieties are still standing. The best, the only way, in cases like this, is 

 to cut clean and replant with species suited to the region. 



Where the soil is in good shape and good seed trees are found,, a light 

 cutting to prepare the soil, followed two or three years later by Another 

 thinning to give more light to the seedlings on the ground, will provide 

 sufficient stand of reproduction. The thinnings, to be successful, require 

 considerable care in removing the defective trees and specimens whose 

 seed is not wanted. Great care should be exercised to prevent excessive 

 light coming in at first, as weeds may then choke out desirable seedlings. 

 After the seedlings have gotten started the trees overhead are gradually 

 removed, the cuttings being located where light is needed for proper devel- 

 opment of the young growth. When the leaves of the seedlings turn a 

 yellowish-green, more light is needed and a few nearby trees should be cut. 



