56 THE SEED TREE METHOD 



areas. This tends to keep logging and transportation costs 

 low. • 



2. Furnishes a bare exposed site for the start of natural 

 reproduction and hence may be a goo^ method for those 

 species which require such a germinating bed. 



3. It stands next to clearcutting as a simple and easy 

 method to practice. 



4. The period of regeneration in each stand being confined 

 to a small portion of the rotation permits use of the area for 

 grazing during the remainder of the time. 



5. As contrasted to clearcutting with natural reproduction 

 it provides better control of the species in the reproduction 

 on the cutover area since only individuals of species which 

 it is desired to reproduce are left for seed trees. 



6. As compared with shelterwood or clearcutting in two or 

 more operations the seed tree method may be used, provided 

 the trees are all of merchantable size, under more expensive 

 logging conditions, since it does not absolutely require a 

 second cutting. 



Disadvantages. — i. The virtual clearing of the area in- 

 duces conditions which for most species are adverse to the 

 growth of seedlings and render uncertain establishment of a 

 satisfactory reproduction. (See under Clearcutting Method 

 — Disadvantage No. i for further details.) 



In the seed tree method exposure of the site takes place to 

 a degree only slightly less than in clearcutting, with similar 

 disadvantages. 



2. Affords poor protection against erosion, landsHdes, snow- 

 slides and rapid runoff of water. 



3. While aesthetically the seed tree method is to be pre- 

 ferred to clearcutting it does not commend itself from the 

 standpoint of forest aesthetics as compared with shelterwood 

 and selection. 



