MODIFICATIONS OF THE METHOD 119 



be uniform or of a groupwise character. When it is group- 

 wise, patches of a quarter of an acre or more may be left 

 unstocked unless seedling reproduction is obtained. 



The first cutting is located with reference to the distribu- 

 tion of vigorous and feeble sprouting trees. Where there are 

 enough trees capable of producing vigorous sprouts, seedling 

 reproduction is not needed and a seed cutting is not made in 

 that spot. Elsewhere a seed cutting is made to estabhsh the 

 needed seedling reproduction. (See Figs. 42, 43, and 44.) 



The first cutting is made 3 to 10 years before the end 

 of the rotation. When seedling reproduction is estabHshed 

 the stand is ready for the second and final cutting. This 

 removes the remainder of the old stand. The area is left 

 bare except for the seedling reproduction established pre- 

 viously. Sprout reproduction starts soon from the stumps 

 capable of sprouting and joins with the seedlings to make a 

 completely stocked stand. The sprouts usually equahze in 

 this first year's growth the advantage in height which sev- 

 eral years' start had given the seedlings. 



Pollarding. ■ — Sometimes trees are severely trimmed or 

 lopped back with the intention of reproducing a growth of 

 sprouts from the portion of the tree remaining. The sprouts 

 are harvested when relatively small and another crop started. 

 This is known as pollarding. The point of pollarding is 

 usually between 4 and 12 feet above the ground. 



Pollarding may be described as the coppice method oper- 

 ated on a short rotation and with abnormally high stumps. 

 The method is first started when the original trees are 10 to 

 20 years old. A pollard head should remain productive for 

 60 to 100 years, but finally becomes useless or unproductive 

 due to the effect of decay. The method is particularly 

 suited for use on lands frequently or deeply flooded, as the 

 pollard head keeps the tender sprouts out of the way of injury 



