Conservation Commission. 113 



should be lopped. They are largely made up of heartwood, which 

 would decay much more slowly than the top of the tree, below 

 three inches, which would be practically all sapwood. When the 

 larger limbs had disappeared, the top would also have disappeared, 

 while at the present time the small part of the top disappears 

 much more quickly than the larger limbs, which have been lopped 

 from the merchantable material. 



It would be wise to give the Commission some discretion in 

 the enforcement of the law. In cases of small detached woodlots, 

 it might not in all cases be necessary to require lopping and in 

 other cases it might be wise to permit some latitude as to time 

 of lopping. If the law were modified on this point, we believe 

 that the cause of a large part of the objection to the present law 

 would be removed. 



After giving this matter thorough investigation and careful 

 consideration, we have reached the following conclusions: 



First. That the top lopping law does very materially increase 

 the fire protection, because the period of danger after lumbering 

 is greatly shortened. It is admitted that if a fire does occur within 

 two or three years after lumbering, the damage will be fully as 

 great, and in some cases worse, when lopped, but this danger 

 exists for a far shorter period. 



Second. That the thoroughness with which the lopping is done, 

 has much to do with the future results. If the operator appre- 

 ciates that proper lopping induces decay and endeavors to get the 

 brush as close to the ground as possible, excellent results will be 

 obtained. 



Third. That a limitation may be made beyond which it is not 

 necessary to lop. We believe that if any tree, limb or top has its 

 branches cut oif from any part which is over three inches in 

 diameter, the material will be sufficiently near to the ground to 

 induce decay and that lopping below this size is an unnecessary 

 waste of time and money. 



Fourth. That on account of bark peeling operations which must 

 be done within a limited time, this Commission should be gi\en 

 power to grant a reasonable extension of time in order that the 

 operators may accomplish their work at the minimum expense. 

 This will not increase the fire danger, because green tops are not 

 inflammable. 



