APPLICATION OF THE METHOD • 57 



4. Due to the danger from wind in which isolated trees are 

 placed, the seed tree method is appHcable only with deep 

 rooted species. 



5. The method is restricted to species which have light 

 wind disseminated seeds capable of germinating on clearings 

 and developing thrifty seedlings under such circumstances. 



6. The supply of seed is relatively scanty, compared with 

 that available in the shelterwood and selection methods, coming 

 as it does from a few seed trees. 



7. As contrasted to clearcutting the seed tree method is not 

 applicable in stands of overmature timber. Such stands may 

 be past the age for producing abundant crops of fertile seed. 

 The individual trees due to their large size and age are not 

 well suited to be left as seed trees. 



The disadvantages with the exception of numbers 4 and 7 are 

 overcome to some extent when the reserve seed method is used. 



Application of the Method. — The seed tree method so 

 far has not been looked upon with favor in North America. 

 This is due principally to the bad impression created by a 

 few prominent examples ^ of unsuccessful application. Ordi- 

 narily such failures have been caused by applying the method 

 under conditions demanding some other method or by neglect- 

 ing to properly attend to the details of application. 



The scattered seed tree method was used in certain stands 

 of white and Norway pine {Pinus resinosa) included in the 

 Minnesota National Forest. This timber was evenaged old 

 growth and as such not suited for reproduction by the seed 

 tree method. Too few seed trees were left (due to legal 

 restrictions) and those remaining were often poorly distrib- 

 uted. The preparation of the site for the establishment and 

 development of reproduction was neglected. Is it surprising 

 that the results so far as securing reproduction went were 

 largely negative? 



