Il6 THE COPPICE METHOD 



becomes necessary to provide for a mixture of seedling repro- 

 duction to supplement the crop of sprouts. 



Decay from the old stumps infects the sprouts seriously on 

 a long rotation. It is advisable that a certain amount of 

 seedHng reproduction be secured from time to time even in a 

 stand fully stocked with sprouts. This maintains the vigor 

 of the stand in spite of the decay which may weaken the 

 sprouting ability of certain of the stools. 



Seedling reproduction can be secured artificially by setting 

 out plants in the spots which the sprouts have failed to stock. 

 Strong transplants should be used and after planting be cut 

 back to the ground. They send up vigorous sprouts which 

 compete more successfully with the coppice than could the 

 original transplants. Fortunately when the rotation is length- 

 ened to 40 years or more the parent stand is old enough in 

 most cases to produce abundant seed and natural reproduc- 

 tion can be relied upon to furnish a mixture with the sprouts. 

 The polewood coppice method discussed in detail under 

 "Modifications of the Method" has been developed for use 

 under such circumstances. 



It may be necessary to assist the seedling reproduction for 

 a few years in overcoming competition with sprouts. These 

 latter grow faster than the seedlings in early life and may 

 overtop and suppress the seedling reproduction which it is 

 desired to establish. 



In the coppice method preparation of the site to secure 

 favorable conditions for germination and for the development 

 of young reproduction is unnecessary. The sprouts are able 

 to compete successfully with underbrush, and are independent 

 of htter conditions and ground cover. 



Disposal of the tops left after the clearcutting of the area is 

 not essential from the standpoint of satisfactory reproduction. 

 Considerable accumulations of hardwood brush do not pre- 



