CONVERSION INTO HIGH FOREST 139 



in stands of mixed hardwoods, and for the introduction of a 

 small mixture of conifers into stands of hardwood coppice, 

 compound coppice is likely to find favor in the future. The 

 owner of a small area of woodland who desires to grow a 

 little large sized timber in addition to fuel for home use will 

 find the method useful. 



Due to the protection from frost afforded the sprouts by 

 the standards, compound coppice can be used at higher ele- 

 vations than simple coppice. It should be confined to soils 

 of good or at least average quality. 



Conversion of Coppice and Coppice with Standards into High 

 Forest. — In European countries, particularly France, the 

 tendency during the last few decades has been toward the con- 

 version of coppice and coppice with standards forests into high 

 forests. The principal cause for this change in method is the 

 relatively low prices prevaiHng for fuel wood. 



The method employed in accompKshing this transforma- 

 tion, ^' "^ ^"'J ^- briefly stated, consists in: 



First, lengthening the rotation to such ages that the coppice 

 stools when cut will fail to sprout; and 



Second, in making reproduction cuttings of the shelterwood 

 type to estabHsh seedHng reproduction. 



Shelterwood is a desirable method for reproducing most of 

 the species found in the coppice stands. By the process 

 described, the sprout stands can be transformed gradually 

 into excellent high forest. 



A similar procedure will undoubtedly be applied to some of 

 the coppice stands in this country. With the virulent sprout- 

 ing ability, rapid growth and merchantability on relatively 

 short rotations of numerous native hardwood species, it is 

 likely that use of the polewood coppice method will in certain 

 sections of this country obviate the necessity of ever com- 

 pletely converting coppice stands to high forest. 



