TOP-LOPPING IN THE ADIRONDACKS 69 



above the ground, either singly or in piles, by stones, stumps or logs. 

 There is no reason to assume that the percentage of the branches 

 lopped from the trees failing to reach the ground, or piles resting on 

 the ground, will be any greater than in the case of branches necessarily 

 lopped from the lower portion of the tree utilized for lumber or pulp. 

 In fact, the probabilities are that the reverse is the case.. It is, 

 however, obvious that lopping the top must necessarily result in a 

 material increase in the total amount of brush reaching either the 

 ground or piles resting on the ground, and thus the fire danger wiU be 

 decreased through the quicker disappearance of this class of material. 



As previously indicated, it must also be recognized in this connection 

 that there are various degrees in the efficiency of top-lopping as a fire- 

 protective measure, depending upon the extent to which the material 

 is brought into position to receive moisture from the soil. Rapidity 

 of decay is also influenced both by the heaviness of the cutting and by 

 the amount of shade after the operation. Where the cutting is heavy, 

 resulting in a great amount of brush, there will be a larger percentage 

 in piles , the piles will be higher, and a greater percentage of the debris 

 wUl be supported off the ground, being thrown across stones, sttimps 

 or logs to get it out of the way of the road building and skidding opera- 

 tions. On the other hand, where the cutting is light, the reverse con- 

 ditions will obtain, and, in addition, the remaining trees left uncut will 

 shade the ground, assisting in the retention of the moisture and thus 

 facilitating decay. 



This effect is particularly noticeable where pulp is cut in a mixed 

 forest of hardwood and spruce. The hardwoods and the smaller 

 spruce remain uncut and afford a higher percentage of crown cover, 

 so that the ground is shaded and the soil moisture is protected from rapid 

 evaporation. The same conditions obtain in a stand of pure spruce 

 where only the larger trees are removed, leaving a sufficiently heavy 

 stand to prevent wind-fall and to shade the ground. In case of a heavy 

 cutting, a thick growth of shrubby plants will come in under some con- 

 ditions, thus furnishing shade and facilitating decay. Where the 

 cutting is heavy and there is relatively little shade from the trees left 

 standing or from the ground growth of shrubs, the soil dries out and 

 decay is relatively slower. 



Tracts Visited. — Detailed observations made on the tracts observed , 

 fuUy bear out these conclusions. 



Everywhere on old unlopped tops, the under branches on the 

 ground are more rotted and have fewer fine branches than on the top 

 side. The same was observed of brush in piles, where the fine branches 

 disappear much more quickly on the ground and in the lower portion 

 of piles than where exposed to the drying effects of sim and wind. 



