46 



THE SEED TREE METHOD 



It is evident that since the seed trees are the source of the 

 seed supply they must be selected with the greatest care. 

 Windfirmness is a primary consideration so important that 

 the scattered seed tree method cannot be used if the seed 

 trees are easily thro\\Ti or broken by the wind. The isolated 

 position of the trees makes them particularly susceptible to 

 such injury. With shallow rooted species or on moist or 

 shallow soils of poor holding capacity the scattered seed tree 

 method is inapplicable. Even if the seed trees are not up- 

 rooted they may be broken off. This happens where the 



,?v^. 



<M 



Fig. 14. 



Good {A) and poor (5) types of seed trees. Tree A with its wide and deep 

 crown is wind resistant, capable of producing abundant seed and of making 

 increased growth. Tree B with its slim bole and tuft-Uke crown is weak and 

 liable to be uprooted or broken by wind or scalded by sun and in addition is 

 incapable of producing large seed crops. 



stand was so dense before cutting as to produce tall slender 

 trees. Some species appear more susceptible to breakage than 

 others. Trees with open foliaged crowns are more likely to 

 stand safely against wind than those with dense crowns. (See 

 Fig. 14.) 



