THE REDWOOD 



A STUDY OF THE REDWOOD. 



By EiCHARD T. Fisher, 



Field Assistant, Bureau of Forestry. 



SCOPE OF THE STUDY. 



This study concerns itself with young second-o-rowth Redwood 

 rather than with mature trees; with lumbered areas rather than with 

 the virgin forest. Where attention is given the old forest and methods 

 of lumbering, it is only that a better knowledge may be gained of sec- 

 ond growth and how to deal with it. 



An attempt is made to answer the question whether it would prove 

 profitable to hold cut-over Redwood lands for future crops. To save 

 the 3'oung growth when the old timber is lumbered and to protect the 

 cut-over lands from fire can not be done without cost. The problem, 

 then, more plainly presents itself: Does the Coast Redwood reproduce 

 itself well enough, grow fast enough, and can it be protected cheaply 

 enough to make it profitable to hold the lands l 



CONCLUSIONS REACHED BY THE STUDY. 



The following facts have been determined: 



That the Redwood reproduces itself abundantly by sprouts on cut- 

 over lands, and occasionally by seed; 



That in thirty years, in a fair soil and a dense stand, it will produce 

 trees of 16 inches diameter, 80 feet high, yielding 2,000 feet board 

 measure per acre; and 



That after careful lumbering under favorable conditions it does pay 

 to hold cut-over Redwood lands for future crops. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In order to deal with a tree so as to make it produce as much wood 

 as possible in the shortest time, it is necessary to know a great deal 

 about its silvicultural habits. This includes a knowledge of its soil 

 and moisture requirements, the climate and altitude it prefers, its 



7 



