F-474971 



Figure 10. — The spruce-fir 

 forest types are the main 

 sources of pulpwood in 

 New Hampshire. 



[15). Even within the spruce-fir-hardvvood type, 

 more than 80 percent of the acreage can be classed as 

 dominant softwood site. 



While there has been some increase in the hard- 

 wood component of these types as a result of cutting, 

 the change from spruce to fir has been even more 

 noticeable. The common practice of cutting to a 

 low diameter limit favors the restocking of balsam fir 

 at the expense of spruce. As a result much of the 

 short-lived fir is lost before the loggers return. And, 

 since fir is more vulnerable to spruce budworm dam- 

 age than spruce, the risk of losses to that insect is 

 increased. 



Forest Resources of New Hampshire 

 302642—54 .3 



The aspen-paper birch group (fig. 11) occupies 8 

 percent of the commercial forest land : 



Aspen-gray birch 249, 200 



Paper birch 132, 100 



Total 1 381, 300 



Both the aspen-gray birch type and the paper birch 

 type are pioneer types that are relatively short lived. 

 They are found most often on old burns. Where fires 

 are excluded, the forest land eventually reverts to pine, 

 spruce-fir, or another hardwood cover type. 



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