12 



nual increase in volume. Individual trees are small and from a 

 timber production standpoint are practically valueless. Accessibility 

 to the Denver market for Christmas trees, however, has enabled offi- 

 cers on the Pike National Forest to practice an intensive type of 

 forestry here, and enough trees are being removed to afford space 

 for optimum growing conditions for those left. The sale of material 

 for Christmas trees more than pays the cost of thinning. Permanent 

 sample plots are maintained in connection with this work as guides 

 regulating the degree of thinnings. As a rule stands of 3,000 or more 

 trees per acre are reduced to about 700. 



The grazing of livestock on the Pike National Forest is limited to 

 the use of summer range by stock, usually in small herds from near-by 

 ranches where stock raising is only one of many pursuits. It is not 

 of such importance here as in the western part of the State, as may be 





Fig. 8. — Transplant beds, Monument Nursery, Pike National Forest 



seen by comparing the authorization figures for the Pike with those 

 of some of the other forests. (See Table 1.) 



The proximity of the forest to several good-sized towns and the 

 many roads and railroads which cross it make it the goal of many 

 summer travelers. Many residents of Denver and Colorado Springs 

 have built summer homes on plots secured under permit from the 

 Forest Service, tourists from far and near camp and fish along 

 the streams, and picnickers are common anywhere within a half day's 

 ride of the cities. 



THE COLORADO NATIONAL FOREST 



Clear Creek, descending precipitously from the mountains west 

 of Denver, marks in a general way the northern limit of the Pike 

 and the beginning of the Colorado National Forest which continues 



