CHAPTER IV 

 THE WOODLOT 



A WOODLOT is a collection or stand of forest trees grown 

 together to pr6duce wood for use on the farm. A forest is 

 sometimes defined as a collection of trees growing so closely 

 together as to interfere with the natural development of the 

 crowns. The natural form of crown in trees is observed on 

 those growing in the open. In a park the trees stand far 

 enough apart from one another so that the growth of the 

 crowns is not materially interfered with. Park trees are grown 

 for their shade and beauty. Woodlot and forest trees are 

 grown for the production of wood. Many farm woodlots 

 are of the park-like form due to one cause or another, but 

 usually forest conditions prevail. 



In the woodlot the trees, standing closely together, crowd 

 each other. As they grow the sidewise development of the 

 crowns is restricted. The energy of growth becomes con- 

 centrated in the tops of the trees. The result is quick height 

 growth and the production of trees with small crowns but 

 with long, cylindrical boles free of branches — the ideal form 

 for a tree intended for use. 



PARTS OF THE WOODLOT 



It is possible to distinguish several parts to a woodlot — 

 the canopy, the region of the boles, the undergrowth, the forest 

 floor and the region of root development. 



The Canopy. — The canopy is the covering of tree crowns. 

 Within the canopy the crowns of the trees do not usually 

 all stand at the same elevation. Some have their crowns 



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