36 



THE CLEARCUTTING METHOD 



The entire series of cuttings must be finished within a 

 short enough period (lo to 20 years, depending on length of 

 rotation), to make the new growth on the whole area even- 

 aged if the method is to be classed as clearcutting. In large 

 stands the entire area could not be cut over in a short enough 

 time to produce evenaged timber and at the same time keep 



First clear Cutting 



A simple case of a small stand reproduced under the method of clearcuttmg 

 in progressive strips. 



the individual strip narrow enough to reproduce success- 

 fully unless more than one cutting series is initiated. 



To overcome the difficulty several strips may be cut in one 

 year, each in a separate cutting series as shown in Fig. 9 and 

 Fig. 10. A large stand can be cut clear under this arrange- 

 ment with as much protection to reproduction as may be 

 secured in a small stand with a single cutting series. Repro- 

 duction may be secured either artificially or naturally. Where 

 the latter method is used the uncut portions of each cutting 

 series furnish seed and protection to seedlings. Each succes- 

 sive cutting should follow its predecessor as soon as reproduc- 

 tion is established on the last strip cut. This may vary from 

 two to five years. If natural reproduction has not started in 

 satisfactory amount at the end of five years, resort should be 

 taken to artificial reproduction. 



