FOEEST PLANTING IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 23 



life of the plantation as the present figure. In estimating future 

 returns from plantations started to-day, the land values assumed 

 should be as high as those at present in effect, and even somewhat 

 higher if the general trend in land values of the region is upward. 



Even at the low interest rate of 3 per cent growing trees on land 

 worth $100 to $150 an acre for the sole purpose of obtaining lumber 

 and other products will not, at the present stumpage prices, prove a 

 profitable undertaking. But if the plantation serves also as a pro- 

 tection against wind such planting should pay very well. It has 

 been found that due to the protection afforded by the most efficient 

 grove windbreaks the yield in farm crops is increased to the extent 

 of that grown on a strip three times as wide as the height of the 

 tr^es. 1 The protection afforded by his grove of ash and maple has 

 been estimated by one farmer in Iowa to save him $300 per year in 

 feed for his stock. 



In view of advancing stumpage prices, it seems safe to estimate the 

 yields from future plantations as being equal at least to the highest 

 yields from plantations made in the past on similar sites. Timber 

 products, moreover, will almost certainly advance in value, though it 

 is open to question whether this advance will be sufficient to offset the 

 rapidly increasing value of the land. 



INDIVIDUAL SPECIES. 



COMMON COTTONWOOD (Populus deltoides Marsh.). 



The common cottonwood is the most rapid growing of the trees 

 commonly planted. It is not exacting in regard to soil, but requires 

 an abundance of moisture. It is very hardy and is especially adapted 

 for planting on poor, sandy river-bottom sites where the water table 

 is within from 4 to 6 feet of the surface. When 30 or 40 years old 

 the trees begin to die in the tops and the stand to deteriorate. For its 

 best development cottonwood requires an abundance of sunlight, and, 

 if planted in groves, a wide spacing of 12 by 12 to 12 by 15 feet is 

 needed. Closer spacing not only adds to the initial expense but 

 results in the death of many trees from crowding before they are large 

 enough to be of much value. When planted in groves, however, 

 cottonwood should be underplanted with some such species as silver 

 maple, in order fully to utilize the ground. This would insure better 

 forest conditions than are generally found in open groves of pure 

 cottonwood, and would promote the production of clear timber of a 

 fairly high value. The main product derived from cottonwood is 

 lumber, and from maple, cordwood. 



A stumpage value for cottonwood of $8 per thousand board feet is 

 considered low. In Iowa it brings from $10 to $12. For inside 

 dimension timbers cottonwood is as good as higher priced material. 

 The timber has been used for corncribs and barns. Heavy cotton- 

 wood planks, because of their toughness when seasoned, are especially 

 desirable for the sides of horses' stalls. 



1 Forest Service Bulletin 86, "Windbreaks. 



