2. Nature of the parent stand . Natural regeneration measures should not be 

 attempted in overmature stands where there is an inadequate seed source of 

 desirable species. Furthermore, natural regeneration should not be the sole 

 measure where the seed source consists of only one species on a site that is 

 capable of supporting a more diverse stand. Careful consideration should also 

 be given to the composition of the adjacent stands in relation to the size of 

 the area to be regenerated and the probable abundance and dissemination of the 

 seed of various species. 



3. Other-use considerations . Maintenance of a timber cover for soil or downstream 

 watershed protection may be a prime consideration. Forests can be regenerated 

 under these limitations by selection cutting, but species' diversity may have 

 to be sacrificed. On south slopes, where this is most apt to be a problem, 

 such cuttings will hasten the production of a climax forest of grand fir. 

 Another consideration might be the need to provide a better winter range for 

 big game. Maintenance of present big game herds depends upon the preservation 

 of shrub cover on much of the lower south slopes characterized as Abies grandis/ 

 Pachistima habitat type. This need could reduce, or even eliminate, the need 

 for tree regeneration on these areas. 



4. Topography and slash disposal . Slash disposal in a residual seed-tree or 

 shelterwood stand located on steep slopes requires costly piling and burning. 

 Prescribed burning of clearcut blocks or strips seems to be the only practical 

 alternative at present. On gentle slopes or level ground, machine methods of 

 slash disposal and other site preparation become economically possible and this 

 provides wider choice of si lvicultural techniques. 



5. Advance growth. New reproduction may receive severe competition from brush and 

 older understory trees at the outset. Abundance and condition of this advance 

 growth, together with the anticipated logging mortality and injury, should be 

 considered in deciding whether to feature it in the next crop or not. Most of 

 this is apt to be hemlock, grand fir, and redcedar. The hemlock and grand fir 

 are often badly infected with brown stringy rot ( Echinodontium tinctorium Ell. 



5 Ev.). Furthermore, a marked increase in root-rot infection ( Armi llaria 

 mellea (Vahl. ex Fr.) Quel.), with accompanying decline in vigor, has been ob- 

 served after the abrupt release and thinning of western redcedar (Koenigs 1969) . 



While prompt regeneration is desirable, a gradual entry of natural regeneration may 

 have certain advantages. In the first place it may provide for a greater diversity of 

 species in the new stand. Species seldom seed equally well in any given year, so a 

 sequence of years could provide a greater number of species and more varied management 

 opportunities in the future. A gradual stocking build-up also provides for better 

 initial stocking control through periodic checks that give the manager an opportunity 

 to remove the seed source in time to prevent, or at least reduce, overstocking problems. 

 The hazards of overstocking might also be reduced by adjusting the amount of initial 

 seed source to match the probability of obtaining prompt and abundant regeneration. 



Foresters dealing with the problem of how to treat an area in order to establish 

 a new stand for future harvest must consider a complex set of economic and biological 

 factors; these circumstances seldom lead to an easy solution. There is certainly no 

 panacea, no cut-and-dried procedure, which can be used with equal success everywhere 

 and every time. Planting on prepared sites gives the best assurance of .prompt regen- 

 eration of the desired species properly spaced for best future stand development; but 

 this practice is limited by high site preparation and planting costs, plus the diffi- 

 culties of obtaining planting stock or a suitable seed source at the right time. Natural 

 regeneration will probably be our main source of new stands for many years. Studies 

 such as those reported here can help to provide guidelines to be used in meeting our 

 regeneration go^ls. 



23 



