Reproduction 



The seedlings and sprouts under 1 inch d. b. h. 

 constitute the forest reproduction. Data on dis- 

 tribution and density of reproduction were recorded 

 throughout the unit. In the shortleaf-loblolly- 

 hardwood types the reproduction is similar to the 

 parent stand in species association. Where fire has 

 been absent over a period of years the pine repro- 

 duction forms a dense stand beneath the older 

 trees. Seedling counts in 1-year-old reproduction 

 in unburned areas in several counties showed an 

 average stand of 24,000 seedlings per acre. Where 



Figure 7. — Percent of area in hardwood types in three site classes 



fires have occurred, the reproduction is in dense 

 patches up to several acres in extent, but is con- 

 fined to the spots that escaped the flames. This 

 is typical of large areas in the shortleaf-loblolly- 

 hardwood types. 



In the longleaf pine types, reproduction is irreg- 

 ular. Along the northern and western edges of 

 the longleaf belt, shortleaf and loblolly are restock- 

 ing former longleaf land. Partly cut longleaf 

 stands often have an understory of these two 

 species, either pure or mixed. Much of the long- 

 leaf reproduction occurs in dense groups in open- 

 ings in the older stands. Where the longleaf 

 has been clear-cut, there are many barren areas 

 with few seedlings, caused doubtless by the fact 

 that only 27 percent of this clear-cut acreage has 



as many as three seed trees per acre. Field obser- 

 vations of hog damage and of brown spot, a disease 

 that attacks longleaf seedlings, disclose that they 

 are not generally serious throughout the long- 

 leaf area. Heavy brown-spot damage was found 

 on only 5 percent of the longleaf plots observed, 

 while hog damage was recorded on only 3 percent 

 of the longleaf plots. If protected from fire and 

 allowed an adequate number of seed trees, the 

 pine forest of eastern Texas will reproduce itself 

 as fast as it is cut over. In the hardwood types, 

 the reproduction found in all openings is sufficient 

 to perpetuate the stands without noticeable change 

 in species composition. 



Although proper silvicultural measures will 

 insure the prompt restocking of newly cut-over 

 forest land, older cuttings still remain a problem. 

 In 1935, about 150,000 acres of clear-cut longleaf 

 lands were so deteriorated as to show no promise 

 of restocking by natural means within a reasonable 

 time. It will be necessary to employ artificial 

 reforestation, the technique of which is yet in its 

 infancy, to return this land to early productivity. 



In the selection of trees to be planted, careful 

 consideration should be given to the advantages 

 and disadvantages of slash pine. Its advantages 

 over longleaf are chiefly the possible economies in 

 seedling production and planting, its rapid growth, 

 and its high yield of naval stores. Experimental 

 planting by the Texas Forest Service has demon- 

 strated that slash pine will grow well for at least 

 the first 10 years after planting. These advantages 

 are not to be lightly dismissed; but on the other 

 hand, recent studies indicate that slash pine is 

 highly susceptible to rust infection. Given favor- 

 able conditions for dissemination of the rust dis- 

 eases during the early life of a plantation, a large 

 proportion of the trees may be killed or seriously 

 deformed. Also the exclusion of fire, which is 

 necessary for the early development of slash pine, 

 favors the rust, as fire prevention encourages the 

 development of the oaks on certain areas where 

 rust is endemic. Another disadvantage is that 

 slash pine is out of its natural range in Texas, 

 and its behavior here throughout its life span is 

 not definitely known. Since data are lacking on 

 the possibility of growing slash pine to maturity 

 in Texas, it is recommended that this species if 

 used should be planted with longleaf rather than 

 in pure stands. 



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