THE SHELTERWOOD SYSTEM 149 



The First Cutting. — Suppose, for example, that a 

 stand has an age of 100 to 150 years, a range of diameters 

 from S to 16 inches, and a yield of 12,000 feet per acre. 

 The trees for the first cutting are selected with the fol- 

 lowing considerations in mind: 



1. The cutting is restricted to about 60 percent, of 

 the present merchantable stand. 



2. The trees selected for cutting are primarily: 



a. The largest trees. 



b. Defective trees which will not live till the next 



cut. 



c. Trees with suppressed, badly broken, or un- 



healthy crowns. 



d. Insect-infested trees. 



e. Trees likely to be blown over or otherwise dam- 



aged before the next cut. 



f. Trees with the long slender boles and small taper. 



g. Fire-scarred and otherwise injured trees which 



are in danger of becoming defective before the 

 next cut. 



3. The trees left standing are primarily dominant 

 trees of moderate diameter, with crowns of moderate size. 



4. The trees left standing should be sound, thrifty, 

 and capable of responding to the new conditions of 

 light and space, and of producing an effective growth. 

 They should be windfirm, and capable of bearing seed 

 now or in the near future. 



5. When the stand is dense and regular, the trees left 

 standing can usually be spaced at fairly regular intervals. 



