68 



SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN KEOKJN. 



less valuable kinds. This can not be successfulh' accom- 

 plished in the Southern Appalachians b}' cuttino- a diameter 

 limit merely. A limit will by all means be advisable for 

 each species, based upon a study of its rate of growth and 

 the proportion which diti'erent diameters bear to its con- 

 tents in board feet. It will be frefjuently necessary, how- 

 ever, to leave trees of a merchantable diameter where 

 their removal would seriousl}'^ impair the densit}' or where 

 seed trees are necessary. 



In the leaving of seed trees many considerations are 

 involved, only a few of which can 1)e mentioned here, 

 ti^arefuj^^seiec- The Oaks, Hickories, Walnuts, and Chestnut should be 

 favored, since their seed is too heavy to be carried by the 

 wind, and much of it is eaten by animals. The marked 

 tendency of the pines (see PI. LV), Hemlock, and Yellow 

 Poplar to reproduce by groups must be encouraged. On 

 south slopes and in dr}" localities generalh', where Dog- 

 wood, Sourwood, and Scrub Oak contend with the timber 

 trees, great care must be taken not to disturl) the balance 

 between them. The rich, moist soil of the Poplar coves is 

 particularly likely to produce a luxuriant growth of weeds 

 and brambles instead of tree seedlings if too much light is 

 admitted to the soil, while the Ash, Cherr}', and Basswood, 

 which are onlv sparsel}' represented in the mature stand 

 and are f uither handicapped among the 3'oung growth by 

 their strong demands upon the light, will require an 

 exceedingly conservative method of management. 



