FORES'TRY FOR 4-H CLUBS 5 



covering more than one season, and other factors involved make it so. However, 

 forest projects for a short period can be conducted and made of much value to the 

 4-H Club members and the community. Among the forestry projects that can be 

 carried out, the following are suggested: (1) The renovation of a farm woodland, 

 (2) replanting of a woodland and subsequent care of the young trees, (3) planting 

 of forest trees on eroding lands or other waste ground on the farm, (4) mapping 

 and finding the area of a forest tract, (5) cutting and marketing farm forest 

 products, (6) giving especial attention to proper cutting of trees and to removal of 

 the parts of the trees not marketed, and (7) a study and survey of forest fires, 

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



The suggestions which follow will be helpful in developing such projects or 

 others which the local situation may offer. 



Forest Trees and Forest Types 



Aim. — To learn how to recognize at sight the chief forest trees of the locality. 



Sources of information. — Bulletins of the State departments of forestry and 

 State colleges of agriculture on forest trees; United States Department of Agri- 

 culture Miscellaneous Publication 217, which contains much about forest trees, 

 and the forest-tree key and description of 100 important forest trees on pages 39 

 to 50. Your State forester and the Forest Service, United States Department of 

 Agriculture, Washington, D. C, are ready to identify leaves, fruit, buds, and 

 woods that are puzzling. 



Illustrative material. — The best illustrative material on forest trees and types is 

 to be found in the woods, where the different species may be seen and their char- 

 acteristics studied. If it is impossible to go to the woods for material, pictures of 

 typical trees may be used. Sketches showing the forms of different trees are easily 

 made and should be used. 



Guides to study. — Get acquainted with the important kinds of forest trees in 

 your locality. Learn their various common names and other names. A few 

 trees are known widely by the same common name, but many are called by differ- 

 ent names in various sections of the country. Consider the importance of botanical 

 names for certain identification. Distinguish the different kinds or species of trees 

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

 arrangement. 



Conifers: These include trees bearing cones, such as the pines, spruces, firs, 

 hemlocks, cedars, junipers, larches, and cypress. How do baldcypress and the 

 larches differ from the others? Become familiar with distinguishing characteris- 

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

 species, particularly those that occur locally. 



Hardwoods: These include trees most of which have wood harder than the 

 wood of the conifers and broad leaves that are usually deciduous, or are shed in 

 the fall. Learn the kinds of hardwood trees which are evergreen. Classify the 

 hardwood trees bv general groups, such as the oaks, maples, elms, and others, 

 and identify as many different species of each as possible. 



Study kinds of trees which are associated in different forest types, such as the 

 ridge type, slope or cove type, bottomland type, and swamp type. Observe 

 locally the trees that are associated to make (1) coniferous forest type, (2) pure 

 hardwood type, and (3) mixed hardwood and conifer type. 



Practical things to do. — Gather leaves and fruit of the important local forest 

 trees, press in wrapping paper, fold and label with place and date (fig. 2). 



Study the shape and size of leaves; trace a leaf of each of the important kinds 

 of trees, and label with name, place where found, and date. 



247010°— 41 2 



