FOREST CONDITIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 



53 



decayed at tlie butt, and over-mature. These are in many cases hinder- 

 ing the development of the younger trees, so that the forest would be 

 benefited by their removal. Where the cuttings have been comparatively 

 recent and severe, an even-aged second growth of oaks, chestnut, poplar, 

 hickory, and maple is common. Where fires have not burned the stands 

 are thrifty and in good condition. 



In the forests which have not been culled heavily, chestnut and the 

 oaks make up at least 60 per cent of the stand; poplar, hickory, and 

 maple are also important. Over-mature and defective trees of all 

 species, but especially of chestnut, are present. Chestnut and the oaks 

 are reproducing prolifically from sprouts, while seedlings of poplar and 

 hickory are common. At present, there is very little market for the 

 large defective chestnut trees, and this must continue to be the case until 

 means of transportation are improved,* so that this wood can be got out 

 at a profit. 



Several areas of the beech and maple type occur in Yancey, as well 

 as in the counties to the east. Beech, birch, sugar maple, and linn make 

 up about 70 per cent of this type. Unfortunately, under present market 

 conditions, the beech, birch, and maple have little value, so that only the 

 linn, ash, cucumber, and buckeye are cut. This gives the inferior species 

 such a great advantage in reseeding the woods that the second growth 

 forest can not help going backward, because it will contain a smaller 

 proportion of the better species than the present one. 



A considerable area of spruce forest occurs on the Black Mountains. 

 Red spruce and balsam each make up about half of the stand, the two 

 together running from 20 to 50 cords an acre. Owing to the inaccessi- 

 bility of this timber it has little commercial value at present, but as 

 transportation facilities improve it will no doubt come into the market 

 for pulp wood and lumber. 



The spruce forest has suffered severely from fire. On the east slope 

 of the Black Mountains at least 10 per cent of this type has been totally 

 destroyed. After burning, the soil has been washed away, leaving only 

 bare rocks. The fires are said to be set by hunters. Some 15 to 25 per 

 cent of the county is still burned over each year. The people, however, 

 are becoming convinced that burning the woods is a most destructive 

 practice, and fires are decreasing. 



MITCHELL COUNTY. 



Mitchell County contains approximately 231,000 acres, with an aver- 

 age assessed value of about $4.50 per acre. Except the northeast corner, 



* A railroad is now being built from the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway to Burnsville. 



