CONTROL OF GIPSY MOTH BY FOREST MANAGEMENT. 35 



STAND AT WAREHAM, MASSACHUSETTS. 



THE MANAGEMENT OF A TYPICAL MIXED OAK STAND WITH ABOUT TWO-TENTHS 



WHITE OAK. 



The woodlot contained nine species, but since scarlet, white, and 

 black oak together constituted 83 per cent of the whole, it may be con- 

 sidered from the standpoint of management as a mixed oak stand. 



It differed from the mixed oak stands at Dover and Exeter in that 

 it was 60 years old, scarlet oak was present and formed over 50 per 

 cent of the stand, white pine was more numerous, the gipsy-moth 

 infestation was very light, and a dense growth of young white pine 

 was already present on parts of the lot. 



The soil is a brown, medium-textured, sandy loam with a sprink- 

 ling of fine gravel. The surface 2 or 3 inches is gray. The soil is 

 deep and naturally well drained. 



On 5.4 acres, where all trees were measured, those trees over 2.5 

 inches in diameter averaged only 7 inches in diameter breast high. 

 The stand was even-aged and was cut clear about 60 years ago. Many 

 of the larger trees were stagheaded (dead in the tops). 



Although the gipsy moth had been present at least since 1911, the 

 infestation in 1913 was very light, averaging only about 12 egg clus- 

 ters per acre, and the damage done by the caterpillars was not notice- 

 able. The defoliation due to forest tent and geometrid caterpillars 

 was much more severe. 



The owner is a manufacturing corporation which uses the lot as 

 a source of supply for material for repairs to its plant. 



This cutting of the larger hardwood trees undoubtedly accounts 

 for the low average diameter of the stand, and the practice of making 

 small openings probably explains the presence and location of the 

 dense growth of small white pine found on the lot. 



This land is well suited to growing potatoes, berries, and other 

 garden truck, but if it is to be kept as a woodlot the stand should be 

 converted from hardwoods to pine, wholly apart from considerations 

 due to possible damage by the gipsy moth. This can be accomplished 

 by clear cutting in one operation or in two successive operations. 



One cutting. — If the stand is cut clear in one operation, all hard- 

 woods should be removed and especial care used to prevent, as far as 

 possible, damage to the young pine already present, which should be 

 supplemented by planting red or white pine on areas not sufficiently 

 stocked. 



Cleanings will be needed, about three in all, made every tAvo years, 

 to release the young pine from the hardwood sprouts which are use- 

 ful at first in providing shade, but, if not removed, will in a short 

 time kill out much of the pine. If cut clear, the hardwoods would 

 yield about 20 cords per acre, but as this lot is maintained for a 

 special purpose, the product should be as far as possible cut in such 



