54 



THE SEED TREE METHOD 



importance the seed trees may be left as close together as 

 rapid growth of the individuals will warrant. A distance of 

 at least 30 to 40 feet should be left between the crowns of the 

 reserve seed trees. This allows on the average for about 20 

 to 30 trees per acre as a maximum, or approximately twice 

 as many as would be left under the scattered seed tree method. 



The reserve seed tree method maintains a two storied form 

 of forest. (See Fig. 16 ) 



The advantages of the reserve as contrasted to the scat- 

 tered seed tree method are that: better reproduction is 



Fig. 16. 



A stand ready to cut containing reserve seed trees. The form is two-storied. 

 The large reserve seed trees will be removed and thrifty individuals selected 

 from the lower story to remain during another rotation. 



obtained due to the larger seed supply and increased protec- 

 tion furnished by the greater number of trees, and production 

 of some large sized timber is secured. 



The understory when harvested, is apt to be of low yield 

 and poor quality due to interference from the upper story. 



Fire Seed Trees. — It has been the practice of the United 

 States Forest Service to retain on certain cutover areas, single 

 scattered trees, which may be termed fire seed trees. These 

 trees have been left after the final cuttings in various modifi- 

 cations of the clearcutting, seed tree and shelterwood methods. 

 In most instances either reproduction already was established 

 at the time the fire seed trees were left in their isolated posi- 

 tion or other sources of seed supply were counted on to com- 



