246 FOREST PROTECTION 



In one case which came to the writer's attention large white 

 pines {Pinus Strobus) growing in Nehasane Park in the western 

 Adirondacks and killed by a fire in 1903, were utilized 12 to 

 14 years after the fire. Although riddled with worm holes 

 90 per' cent of the timber was sound enough for building 

 purposes where appearance was not an essential. The timber 

 was old growth and hence was nearly all heart-wood which 

 fact had much to do with its lasting qualities. 



Where merchantable trees are injured but not killed by fire 

 it may be advisable to cut them. Small fire scars exposing 

 the wood offer advantageous points of attack for fungi and 

 insects.* Extensive burns in the base of a tree weaken it and 

 may result in breakage by wind. Whether it is safe to leave 

 an injured tree and for how long a time cannot be determined 

 without a knowledge of the species, particularly its insect 

 and fungous enemies. 



The final loss (chargeable to fire) of merchantable material 

 in fire scarred trees through breakage by wind, decay and 

 insects frequently exceeds the value of the timber consumed 

 or directly killed by the fire. 



Injury to Young Growth including Reproduction. — Trees 

 under merchantable size and reproduction, with thinner bark 

 and crowns near the ground, are more easily killed and con- 

 sumed by fire than trees of merchantable size. 



Fire acts in the same way on small trees as on large ones 

 but inflicts relatively greater injuries on the former. 



Even where small trees are only partially girdled by a fire 

 their potential value is greatly reduced. Many years must elapse 

 before the trees are merchantable. During this time insects 

 and fungi have abundant opportunity to enter through the fire 

 scars or elsewhere as a consequence of the weakened condition 

 of the trees and frequently render them worthless or of poor 

 quality by the time merchantable dimensions are attained. 



