timber growing stock was being added to every year, 

 not only from the excess of growth over cut but also 

 from the ingrowth of hardwood poletimber. 



All the hardwood species, with the possible excep- 

 tion of paper biixh and red oak, are being cut at a 

 rate that is undoubtedly well below the current growth 

 rate. Only 14 percent of net annual growth of red 

 maple is being cut annually. Since this is one of the 

 less desirable species, it is often left in the woods to 

 compete with better species for the growing space. 



Whereas annual net growth and timber cut of soft- 

 wood growing stock is essentially in balance, the cut of 

 softwood sawtimber is in excess of net growth by 

 about 1 1 million cubic feet, or more than 20 percent. 

 The softwood sawtimber stands certainly cannot sus- 

 tain this rate of cutting for very long. 



The cutting of hardwoods principally for veneer 

 and pulpwood has increased in recent years. This 

 trend, if continued, could conceivably result in less 

 serious overcutting of softwoods. 



24 



Forest Resource Report No. 8, U. S. Department of Agriculture 



