4 BULLETIN 863, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



volved make it a project covering more than one season. However, 

 forest projects can be conducted and made of much value to the 

 student and community. Among the forestry projects that can be 

 carried out, the following are suggested: The renovation of a farm 

 woodland, the replanting -of a woodland and subsequent care of the 

 young trees, the planting of forest trees on some eroding lands or 

 other waste ground on the farm, mapping and finding area of a forest 

 tract, cutting and marketing farm forest* products, giving especial 

 attention to the proper cutting of trees and to the removal of the 

 parts of the trees not marketed, a study and survey of forest fires, in- 

 sect enemies, and the diseases of the common forest trees. 



Lesson I. FOREST TREES AND FOREST TYPES 



Problem. — To learn to know at sight the chief forest trees of the 

 locality. 



Sources of information. — Bulletins of the State colleges of agricul- 

 ture and State foresters on forest trees; Forestry Bulletin 17; forest 

 tree key and description of 100 important forest trees on pages 40-48 

 of Supplement. The Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agricul- 

 ture, Washington, D. C, is ready to identify leaves, fruit, buds, and 

 wood that puzzle the young forester. 



Illustrative material: — The best illustrative material for this lesson 

 is to be found in the woods, where the trees may be seen and their 

 characteristics studied. In case this can not be done, pictures of 

 typical trees may be used. Blackboard sketches showing the form 

 of different trees are easily made and should be used in this lesson. 



Topics of study. — Getting acquainted with the important kinds of 

 forest trees in your locality. Their various common names and other 

 names. A few trees are known widely by the same common name, 

 but many are called by different names in various sections of the 

 country. The importance of botanical names for certain identifica- 

 tion. Distinguisliing the different kinds or species of trees by some 

 well-marked characteristics of leaf, bark, fruit, seed, buds, or twig 

 arrangement. 



Conifers: Trees bearing cones, such as the pines, spruces, firs, hem- 

 locks, cedars, junipers, larches, and cypress. How do bald cypress 

 and the larches differ from the others ? Distinguishing characteristics 

 of each group or genus, and something about its different members or 

 species, particularly those that occur locally. 



Hardwoods : Trees, most of which have wood harder than that of 

 the conifers and broad leaves which are deciduous, or are shed in the 

 fall. Kinds of hardwood trees which are evergreen. Group the 

 hardwood trees into general groups, such as the oaks, maples, elms, 

 and others, and identify as many different species of each as possible. 



Kinds of trees which are associated together in different forest 

 types, such as (a) ridge type, (b) slope or cove type, (c) bottom-land 

 type, and (d) swamp type. What trees locally are associated to 

 make (a) coniferous forest type, (b) pure hardwood type, and (c) 

 mixed hardwood and conifer type. 



Practical exercises.— Gathering leaves and fruit of the important 

 local forest trees; press in wrapping paper, folded and labeled with 

 place and date. 



