32 STATE OP MICHIGAN. 



The Eeniloch, which is such a conspicuous fine tree of the better hard- 

 wood lands of this region, occurs on the Eeserve only as a swamp tree, 

 being practically restricted to a few of the swamps and the edge of these. 

 In keeping with this station it generally remains small and unimportant, 

 though a few exceptions occur here and there. 



The Poplars, of which the two species, the Small-toothed and the Large- 

 toothed Aspen are the only important ones, are quite abundant on all up- 

 lands as well as along the edges of all the swamps. And yet, here as 

 elsewhere they have failed to fulfill the promise which they had given 

 after The first fires had destroyed the forest. There are few large tracts 

 of upland devoid of Aspen, and there is not a single swamp in the Ke- 

 serve without more or less Aspen growth along the edge and often in its 

 interior, but in spite of this the amount of Aspen which really promises 

 to grow into useful pulpwood is very limited and there are practically no 

 poplars on the Reserve in a merchantable condition, i. e. large enough 

 and abundant enough in any one tract to warrant exploitation. 



Nevertheless it would be hasty to predict that the poplars are unable to 

 do what has so often been predicted of them and it is almost certain 

 that, if properly protected a large amount of the poplar coppice now 

 on the better flats about the swamps will soon grow into useful material. 

 On the dryer sands the poplar stays small, scragly, limby and of no 

 pi-omise; on the moister flats and in the edge of the swamps, trees 40 to 

 60 feet are common, the trees are straight, and clean and promise fair 

 commercial value. Throughout, the poplar sprouts after fire and in this 

 way promises a valuable aid in reforestation. 



Like the Oak, the poplar can only be regarded a transient on the up- 

 lands, for the pine must excel it by far in production. Where the poplar 

 thrives its growth is quite rapid; of some trees examined it was found 

 that in the edge of swamps it may reach a height of 60 feet and in diameter 

 of 12 inches inside bark at the age of 50 years. 



The Maple appears so commonly all over the Eeserve, both on the up- 

 lands and in the swamps that it gives the appearance of being able to be- 

 come a valuable forest tree. A more careful study, however, seems to 

 deny this and it is doubtful if the Maple on the sands will ever produce 

 more than firewood coppice. In the swamps it succeeds here and there 

 in making qiiite a tree of itself. While valuable enough to keep and pro- 

 tect, it is doubtful if the Maple will repay special additional care or help 

 in reproduction. 



The Ash, principally Black Ash, is common in nearly all swamps: It 

 reproduces well from seed and sprout, grows well at first, is on the whole 

 a slow grower and at present is seriously infested and a large portion of 

 all old timber is in a dying condition. 



The Elm occurs sparingly along some of the streams, but can hardly be 

 regarded an important forest tree of the Reserve. 



Summing up the matter O'f the forest cover on the Reserve it may be 

 said that very little of merchantable material remains at the present day, 

 that it might be, and is actually inferred from this fact alone, that a pro- 

 tection of these areas is hardly good business, and that forestry, in this 

 case must be regarded as a wasteful effort, justified only by some presumed 

 and hoped for good which it may do to some future generations. Such, 

 however, is by no means the case. The present cover and prospect for 

 cover, the millions of young forest trees fully established on the ground, 



