PROTECTION OF THE WOODLOT 135 



the acre will usually clear out all the tree growth in a single 

 season. Hogs root up the soil and eat the young succulent 

 roots of trees. They are sometimes driven into the woodlot 

 to expose the mineral soil so that the seed from the trees will 

 germinate better. 



There is much truth in the old saying that it is impossible 

 to grow trees and animals on the same ground. Where it is 

 necessary to run cattle in the woodlot for protection from the 

 hot sun in summer and from the cold winds of winter, the 

 woodlot should be divided, a portion being fenced off and 

 devoted to this purpose and the rest of the woodlot used for 

 growing trees. 



Storms. — Considerable damage is done to trees in the 

 woodlot by storms causing windfall and breakage. Trees in 

 the woodlot protect each other from the wind. Standing 

 closely together, the crowns prevent the wind blowing the 

 trees over so far that they will be uprooted or broken off. 

 Great care must be used in thinning a woodlot not to suddenly 

 remove so many trees in one spot that the tree crowns will 

 be separated from one another so far that windfall or breakage 

 will result. Windfall is especially likely to occur in moist 

 situations, where the trees naturally grow shallow root sys- 

 tems. It is well to maintain a mantle or protecting hedge 

 to the woodlot to keep the wind from getting in under the 

 trees. Trees on the outer edges of the woodlot should be 

 allowed to grow branches low down on the trunks, and shrubs 

 and smaller trees should be encouraged to grow. It is a mis- 

 take to open up the edge of a woodlot by pruning up the trees 

 and by removing the young growth and shrubs found. Such 

 a protective mantle prevents the cold winds of winter from 

 injuring the trees by freezing and cracking open the trunks. 

 It prevents the hot winds of summer from drying up the soil 

 under the trees and also helps to prevent windfall and 

 breakage. 



The Owner. — Probably the worst enemy of the woodlot 



