DETAILS OF THE METHOD 45 



lished may be removed in a second cutting, or left indefinitely. 

 In the latter case they usually are a total loss, rarely surviv- 

 ing in a sound condition until the end of the second rotation. 



In some classifications the seed tree method has been in- 

 cluded under clearcutting methods. The leaving of seed 

 trees, together with the fact that the seed supply is furnished 

 by these seed trees standing on the area cut instead of by trees, 

 cut in the clearing operation or by trees standing outside the 

 area cleared, warrants the separation into two methods. 



Form of Forest Produced. — The seed tree method re- 

 quires the same form of stand for its application as does 

 clearcutting; namely, either evenaged or if containing more 

 than one age class with all trees of merchantable size. As a 

 result of the seed tree method an evenaged stand is produced. 

 There may be a range of lo to 20 years in age between the 

 young seedlings which start on the cutover area, but not 

 enough difference to prevent the stand being evenaged. 



For a number of years immediately following the first cut- 

 ting the stand presents a two-storied appearance, with the 

 seed trees forming the upper story and the reproduction the 

 understory. 



In exceptional cases some or all of the seed trees may re- 

 main throughout the rotation. Where this occurs the stand 

 may be termed either evenaged or two-storied depending on 

 the number and per cent of the area occupied by the seed trees. 



Details of the Method. — In the simplest form of the seed 

 tree method the seed trees are left standing isolated as indi- 

 viduals after the removal of from 80 to over 90 per cent of the 

 volume of the stand. Natural reproduction springs up under 

 and around the seed trees in sufficient quantity to form a 

 new stand. If conditions are favorable a single seed year 

 may suffice to accompHsh this. Frequently the seed trees 

 produce several crops of seed before regeneration is completed. 



