FOREST CONDITIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 23 



FOREST DISTRIBUTION BY SPECIES.* 



Chestnut. 



Chestnut is typical of the region and grows almost everywhere, form- 

 ing 28 per cent of the total forest area. It is not numerically impor- 

 tant, however, on the plateau lands of the French Broad River, and in 

 western Cherokee County. It is the most important commercial tree, 

 because of its rapid growth, its wide distribution, and its high market 

 value for poles and extract wood at a comparatively early age. Much 

 of it has been so seriously injured by fire and insects, however, that 

 probably not more than from 25 to 40 per cent of that now standing 

 is suitable for lumber. The recent establishment of large tanning ex- 

 tract plants has relieved this situation somewhat by creating a market 

 for low grade wood, a large amount of which is now being cut wherever 

 it is accessible. 



Bed Oaks. 



Red Oak. — Red oak, because of its wide distribution, becomes the 

 most valuable oak in this region, and, though it seldom occurs below 

 2,800 feet, it now furnishes the greater part of the oak lumber. Its 

 favorite habitat is moist north slopes and the coves, its numerical im- 

 portance increasing with the increase in altitude, till on some of the 

 slopes and crests of the mountains above 4,000 feet, it forms 50 per 

 cent or more of the forest over considerable areas. It is commonly 

 known here as water oak. It attains a very large size and furnishes 

 lumber equal in appearance, and nearly equal in price, to white oak. 

 Its young growth is nowhere abundant, as it is easily killed by fire, 

 and hogs help to keep it in check by devouring the acorns. It is the 

 most rapid growing of any of the oaks, and should be encouraged in 

 every way possible, particularly by keeping these two enemies out, when 

 it will reproduce itself readily. 



Black Oak. — Black oak, the lumber of which is often marketed as 

 red oak, ranks second among the so-called red oaks. This tree is found 

 throughout all of the types, but decreases in proportion in the stand as 

 the elevation increases. In the pleateau types in Cherokee County and 

 in the French Broad valley it is probably the most important oak and 

 forms a considerable part of the local cut; but in these situations it is 

 of poor quality, often wormy and rotten. It attains its best develop- 

 ment and quality in the lower coves and richer slopes. The recent de- 

 mand for tanbark from this species has increased its value. Its re- 

 production is good and its growth rapid, especially that of the sprouts 



' 



The species are given in the order of their abundance in the region. See Table 1. 



