MANAGEMENT- 57 



REGENERATING WORN-OUT SPROUT STANDS. 



After a stump has produced several rotations of sprouts it gradually 

 loses its sprout-producing capacity. This is largely due to the decay 

 of the original root system of the tree, from which the sprouts drew 

 much of their nourishment, as well as decay of the successive root 

 systems of the. sprouts themselves. Stands which in the beginning 

 produce the best and most rapid-growing sprouts will, with successive 

 cutting, gradually lose in rate of growth and thrift until they become 

 practically worthless. Such stands often fail entirely to produce 

 sprouts, because their slow growth prevents them from being cut for 

 cordwood or other uses until after the maximum age limit for sprout 

 production. Many more successive crops can be obtained from chest- 

 nut than from oak; but even chestnut stands ultimately become worn 

 out and in need of renewing. 



To regenerate worn-out stands it is necessary to secure a repro- 

 duction of seedlings. This may be accomplished either naturally, 

 by leaving seed trees on the area, or artificially, by sowing or plant- 

 ing. Often a combination of the two methods is advisable, the 

 second supplementing the first. The final cutting should in this 

 case be made in summer, in order to discourage sprouting from the 

 cut stumps. Where the growth of sprouts threatens the seedlings, 

 light surface burning just previous to the seed fall or planting, 

 especially if brush is piled and burned on the smaller stumps, will be 

 effective. Burning should always be conducted when there is the 

 least danger of the fire spreading, and should be kept constantly 

 under control. Except in the case cited, the use of fire should be 

 avoided, since it destroys the surface layer of decaying leaves and 

 humus. 



If natural reproduction is supplemented with planting or sowing, 

 a change of type may be made at the same time. Thus white pine 

 seed may be sown broadcast, jr seedlings planted, in the spring 

 following the cutting. Planting is the preferred method. In gen- 

 eral it is much better to replace worn-out hardwood forests with coni- 

 fers than to supplement meager reproduction by artificial planting 

 of slow-growing hardwood species. If hardwoods are preferred, 

 acorns or chestnuts may be sown in spots over the area, preferably 

 from 4 to 6 feet apart. Three or four should be placed in each seed 

 spot and buried not over an inch deep. Black, red, and scarlet oak 

 acorns are not liked by squirrels, chipmunks, etc., but white and 

 chestnut oak acorns and chestnuts are likely to be consumed. These 

 should therefore be sown in the spring 1 and the area thoroughly 

 poisoned by depositing over it small amounts of wheat soaked in a 



1 The method of storing acorns for the winter is described in Forest Service Circular 100. 



