48 BULLETIN 234, XJ. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. 



DISEASES. 



Little can be done to protect the lodgepole-pine forests from fungi 

 and mistletoe, except to remove whenever practicable all diseased 

 trees and to keep cut-over areas free from debris. Partly mer- 

 chantable trees attacked with rot should be felled and the sound por- 

 tions utilized. All infected trees, however, whether merchantable 

 or not, should be felled, if possible, as a measure of protection to the 

 remaining stand. 



GRAZING. 



The grazing of live stock is usually helpful in a lodgepole-pine 

 stand as a means of reducing the fire danger. On recently cut-over 

 areas, however, sheep grazing should be carefully regulated, if 

 allowed at all, until reproduction is well established. Where an 

 unusually heavy sod is an obstacle to reproduction, heavy grazing by 

 sheep may be a means of exposing the mineral soil. 



SUMMARY. 



Lodgepole pine is the most important commercial species over a 

 large part of the Rocky Mountains. It is already used for railroad 

 ties, mine timbers, and fence posts, and in the future will no doubt 

 be extensively employed for telephone poles and rough lumber. In 

 addition to their commercial value, the lodgepole-pine forests are of 

 great importance as a protective cover on the watersheds. 



Overmature stands of lodgepole pine should be cut practically 

 clean. Mature stands should be cut under the group selection system 

 in order to prevent an overproduction of small material and to 

 secure increased growth of the smaller trees left. In marking under 

 this system, the aim should always be to insure against excessive 

 windfall. Overdense young stands should be thinned whenever 

 practicable. As a general thing, no special measures need be taken 

 to secure reproduction. All brush on timber-sale areas should be 

 piled and burned. Where artificial reforestation is necessary, plant- 

 ing will usually be the most satisfactory method, though direct seed- 

 ing may give satisfactory results on exceptionally favorable sites. 

 Protection from fire is the first step in systematic forest management. 



