429 



Species specially favored : oak, hickory, ash, black walnut. 



Species of less value: yellow poplar, butternut, basswood, maple, elui, 

 beech. 



Species usually removed : iron wood, Cottonwood, sassafras, water 

 beech, etc. 



The character of tbe tree is more important than the species. Tall, 

 straight trees with well developed, thrifty top are left in preference to 

 those which are spindling, weak-topped, crooked or unsound. In a group 

 of equally good trees it is often best to remove one or more, for by so 

 doing the remaining trees will produce more wood than all of tbem had 

 tbey been left undisturbed. Trees with their crowns entirely exposed to 

 sunlight are seldom removed unless a number of thrifty ones will be as- 

 sisted. Those completely overtopped by others have ceased to be a factor 

 in the growth of the stand and may be cut whenever tbeir wood will pay 

 for their removal. Another class of trees are those which receive sun- 

 light from above but wbich have their sides shaded. It is in this class, 

 where the struggle for existence is most severe and where the greatest 

 economy of energy can be brought about, that most thinning is done. It 

 is better to make light thinnings, never more than a fifth of the stand at 

 a time, than to remove too many at once, for this opens up large patches 

 of ground which dry out on exposure to sun and wind and furnish an ex- 

 cellent opportunity for the growth of grass and undesirable brush. It is 

 not safe to say that this species must be removed to make room for that 

 or that three sprouts must be cut from a group of six. All the improve- 

 ment thinnings must be made upon the judgment of the operator. 



In the woods which contain large open spaces here and there trees 

 should be planted as in mature open stands. In any case growth of young 

 trees and shrubs should not be hindered but rather encouraged on a strip 

 at least two rods wide. A windbreak should be planted if necessary. 



YOUNG STANDS. 



Character. — The third type of woodlots is the young stand. The 

 ground, seeded by the trees left after all merchantable timber was cut. 

 has become covered with second growth trees four to twelve inches in 

 diameter and twenty to fifty feet in height. Many of them are straight 

 and thrifty, but many more are gradually being suppressed and are dying. 

 Trees in little groups here and there which started from seed the same 

 year are so evenly matched in size that growth is temporarily arrested. 



