BRUSH DISPOSAL PROBLEM 47 



the best and often the only reproduction comes up under a fallen tree 

 top or other brush. The ground is shaded and soil evaporation re- 

 tarded by the presence of a covering of leaves, twigs and brush. Under 

 such conditions, the burning of the brush may make the difference be- 

 tween reproduction and none. The burning of the brush, unless im- 

 perative as a fire protective measure, thus becomes undesirable from a 

 silvicultural point of view. Lopping and scattering the brush will 

 facilitate reproduction in this type of forest, but it undoubtedly increases 

 the fire danger during the first few years, so that it is sometimes consider- 

 ed most desirable to lop the brush and pile it at a distance from living 

 trees. This protects the mature timber in case of fire, and, at the same 

 time, encourages the development of seedling growth arovmd the edges 

 of the brush piles, through the shading of the soil and the retention of 

 moisture. In Manitou park in Central Colorado, this method of brush 

 disposal was practised at a cost of 35 to 40 cents per acre. If there 

 is already a satisfactory amount of reproduction on the ground, piling 

 without burning will be preferable, unless the brush can be piled 

 in open spaces so that burning will not destroy the young growth. 



Lopping and Scattering. — ^This has been discussed in the preceding 

 paragraphs. The amount of brush, the degree of fire danger, and the 

 necessity for encouraging reproduction must be considered. The fire 

 danger is decreased by piling, whereas scattering is usually preferable 

 from a silvicultural standpoint. Lopping and scattering is favored 

 for cuttings on second growth woodlands, where the amount of debris 

 is relatively*small, as in a mixed forest, where cordwood or pulpwood 

 has been taken out of the tops. In sections where there is danger of 

 soil erosion, or where the reproduction is in danger of being destroyed 

 through browsing or trampling by stock, the lopping and scattering of 

 brush is also preferable, itnless other considerations outweigh these. 



Brush Disposal on National Forests in Idaho, 

 Montana and Minnesota 



Since conditions in the Rocky Mountain region of Canada are prac- 

 tically the same as in that portion of the United States lying directly 

 south of that region the following is quoted in full from a statement by 

 the U. S. District Forester of National Forest District No. i, compris- 

 ing Montana, Minnesota, and Northern Idaho : 



"Practically the only methods of brush disposal which are in use in 

 this District are piling in high compact pHes and burning, piling in 

 windrows and burning, and broadcast burning within fire lines. Lop- 

 ping and scattering of brush without bvurong are not considered ade- 



