r^^uSft 



i 



■>3r -. 



Figure 5. — Part of 10-acre 

 residual tree study area. 



oegg aiLspcrsa^ 



The 1955 seed crop for Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red- 

 cedar was almost a complete failvire in Southeast Alaska. This was 

 anticipated from early season observations which indicated negligible 

 flower and early fruit development for these species. Seed crops have 

 either failed or have been extremely light since the bumper crop of 1951* 

 On the basis of past records a good seed crop is overdue. 



A section of the Maybeso clear cut was made intentionally lai'ge to permit 

 determination of seed dissemination distances of the commercial tree 

 species of this region. An area approximately one mile square has been 

 clearcut and seed traps have been set at varying distances from the edge 

 of uncut stands. 



Other objectives of this study include: 



a. Information on wind direction to determine the importance of 

 this factor in seed dissemination. 



b. Information as to when seedfall begins. 



c. Abundance of seedfall by monthly periods. 



d. Total seedfall per acre by distances from seed source. 



A preliminary study yielding information on some of these objectives was 

 summarized in Technical Note No. 16 issued March, 1953* 



The seed crop failures in 1954 and 1955 have prevented the collection of 

 any data for this study on the Maybeso cutting. The experiment is set up 

 in the field, however, and with the occurrence of a good seed year results 

 will be forthcoming. 



18 - 



