CHOICE; OF SPECIES 89 



Shortleaf of the South, Red Fir in Washington (West Side), Yel- 

 low Pine in Idaho and Montana. 



b. In many cases site, climate, soil and drainage dictate. A 

 cold Tamarack Swamp leaves little choice, and the same is true of 

 Jack Pine Sands ; and Alpine districts in the Rockies and Pacific 

 countries call for Spruce, Balsam and mountain Hemlock. 



Where the site is good, as on good hardwood lands in the Ohio 

 Valley and South, the forester is largely directed by what is wanted, 

 by owner and market, and may raise anything from a Catalpa fence 

 post to White Oak saw and veneer timber. 



c. Where a mixed stand is desired, relative behavior of the 

 trees asserts itself. Spruce and Oak mixtures have proven failures 

 in Germany, and even Spruce and Beech needs watching wherever 

 the Spruce feels at home. 



d. Where bare lands, are to be reforested, the question often 

 arises as to the value of native as against foreign species or species 

 from distant localities. W r here no experiments are permissible the 

 native tree deserves preference. But the prevalent fear of "exotics" 

 is largely unfounded and based more on theory than practice. Red 

 Fir in Germany has done well, so has White Pirie, Black Locust and 

 Red Oak. Norway Spruce does well even in warm and dry situa- 

 tions in Southern Michigan, and White Pine has made good groves 

 on the plains. 



e. Even under the old settled conditions of Central Europe 

 this matter of Species is still a problem, receiving much attention and 

 discussion. Some serious mistakes were made in the past. For 

 instance, 20-40 years ago. Scotch Pine was planted extensively in 

 parts of the Black Forest, where the heavy snows break down 

 entire stands of these Pine poles, and give the present forester no 

 end of trouble. Replacement of Beech by Spruce and other conifers 

 is in progress on account of better incomes. Then also change from 

 pure forests to mixed forests is being agitated. 



f. On large properties especially in mountain country this 

 choice of species needs careful attention ; different parts of the forest 

 require different species, and selection must conform to site and 

 market, and provide not so much for the immediate but rather the 

 distant future, and on all poorer lands the upkeep of site is fore- 

 most. In the United States and Europe Market calls primarily for 



