28 STATE OF MICHIGAN. 



be seen, and there is no large tract of upland entirely devoid of young trees 

 of this pine. 



The White Pine was abundant on site 1 (Norway la,nds) and occurred 

 scatteringly on site 2, but was practically wanting on site 3. It attained 

 a large size, many of the fire scorched stumps still measure over 30 inches 

 diameter. Most of the large White Pine occurred on the flats about the 

 swamps. Here the growth .was quite rapid and possessed the steadiness 

 characteristic of this species. 



At present the White Pine as a tree is restricted to the swamps, occur- 

 ring, usually, along the edge of the swampwoods more rarely within the 

 swamps. From here a little seeding has taken place and there are scat- 

 tered tracts along nearly all swamps where a scant reproduction of this 

 species is taking place. Where this occurs it is evident that the White 

 Pine is thoroughly at home here and is perfectly capable of enduring even 

 the much modified and damaged conditions of soil and soil cover. 



These scattered young White Pine show a growth equal to that of the 

 Norway, remain more bushy, clean less readily and begin to bear cones 

 when 10 to 15 feet high. For all lands of site 1 and part of site 2 the 

 White Pine is perfectly suited and deserves preference over any introduced 

 species. As in the case of the Norway Pine, the White Pine trees are too 

 few and too scattered to rely on their restocking these lands in reasonable 

 time. 



The Jack Pine is of importance because it is here on the ground, abund- 

 ant and multiplying more than because of its other natural qualities. Aud 

 yet even for purposes of future restocking this frugal tree of the sand 

 plains deserves attention, and care. It presents here no peculiarities. It is 

 a small tree in height and diameter, apt to remain bushy; begins seeding 

 when a mere bush, seeds profusely and at all times; grows rapidly for a 

 short time and should then he cut to avoid waste. In spite of its small 

 height it is capable of making a fair amount of material per acre since it 

 stands considerable crowding. 



Taken on the whole, there are now hundreds of acres on which this 

 tree occurs, occasionally in dense thickets, comriionly in open stands. 

 Whenever of size it appears as ample seeder, and millions of young plants 

 may be seen scattered or in dense clumps in the vicinity of the older 

 stands. Next to the Oak it is the most important factor in the forest 

 cover of these lands at the present time and it is hardly a,n exaggeration 

 to say that the money now expended on the protection of these lands is 

 well repaid by the growth of the Jack Pine alone. 



The OaJc occurs in several species, principally Scarlet Oak, little Bed 

 and White Oak. On the good clay and loam lands where a tall growth 

 of mixed hardwoods clearly makes the agricultural qualities of the land 

 the Oak is almost wanting in this region. On the pinery sands on the 

 other hand and in all dry lauds of the Reserve the Oak is at present the 

 only important hardwood tree. Here by virtue of its capacity to sprout, 

 it heals up the repeated fire scars and produces at least some semblance 

 of a forest cover where all other species have been exterminated. Its 

 abundance here is commonly a puzzle to the people of the district, who 

 wonder at its origin. There is no doubt thdt the Oak was always here, 

 but under the tall cover of the pine it could never assert itself so that the 

 casual observer would hardly notice its presence. 



After the first fire the Oak comes up usually in company with quite a 



