48 BULLETIN 308, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



gained over the hardwoods by cutting them from July to early 

 September, when the sprouting capacity is at its lowest point. 



In mixed stands the crowns average larger than in pure stands, 

 with the result of an earlier and larger seed production. The crowns 

 of seed trees should be freed on all sides. Not less than three and 

 usually not more than eight trees, varying with the average seeding 

 capacity, will be needed for each acre. The formation of pure 

 groups on favorable sites, rather than pure stands over larger, vari- 

 able sites, should be the aim. In some parts of the South scrub pine 

 competes strongly with shortleaf , and on account of its inferior tim- 

 ber should be removed in order to favor shortleaf in seeding up 

 cut-over tracts or abandoned agricultural land. 



The selection and clear-cutting methods are alike applicable to 

 mixed and uneven-aged stands. Of these, the selection method is 

 best suited to the prevailing form of mixed stands. The groups of 

 shortleaf pine frequently found among mixed hardwoods are in 

 reality small-sized pure stands and should be handled as such. They 

 are usually even aged, and can be regenerated best by leaving suffi- 

 cient seed trees to restock the tract completely at an early date. 

 The individual selection of the trees as soon as they have reached 

 the most profitable size is the simplest form of final cutting. This 

 must be modified as required by the dominant aim of increasing the 

 proportion of shortleaf over the less valuable hardwoods. To do 

 this, trees for natural seeding purposes are needed. In many in- 

 stances much of the shortleaf may profitably be left for the second 

 cutting. It will then have served its purpose of seeding, and a 

 larger amount will be ready for the saw. 



CUTTING ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS OF ARKANSAS. 



On the two National Forests of Arkansas, where the mixed type 

 prevails, the ultimate aim in the silvicultural management of short- 

 leaf pine is to convert the present more or less uneven-aged forest 

 into even-aged stands. The bulk of the shortleaf pine on these Na- 

 tional Forests large enough to cut is from 70 to 175 years old, ranging 

 from over 225 years down to 55 years for trees on the warm slopes. 

 Careful marking of all trees to be cut assures sufficient seed trees. 

 In addition, a minimum diameter limit of 14 inches breast high, 

 equivalent to a stump diameter of 14.9 inches inside bark on a stump 

 1 foot high, protects the young trees, whose growth and value are 

 increasing at the most rapid rate. It usually provides ample seed 

 trees for restocking and some basis, at least, for a second cut. 

 Growth 1 and volume 2 tables for western Arkansas show a 14-inch 



1 IT. S. Department of Agriculture Bulletin No. 244, " Life History of Shortleaf Pine." 



2 Table 29, Appendix. 



