86 



FOREST CONDITIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 



order to use tlie land for agriculture do not come under this metliod, for 

 their purpose is not the reproduction of a future forest. 



The selection of seed trees, coining under the third form of this 

 method, is of the utmost importance. Even where there seems to be ade- 

 quate seedling reproduction already on the ground, the future forest 

 crop should be assured by saying some seed trees. This is made advis- 

 able on account of the great risk from fire. Should the first crop of 

 seedlings be destroyed there could be no second crop if no seed trees 

 were provided. Though the present provision for reproduction may be 

 adequate, the risk in removing all trees that could furnish seed is too 

 great to be incurred. 



Seed trees should be chosen with regard to their special fitness to re- 

 seed the area in question. Where possible they should be strong, healthy 

 young specimens with full crowns and having plenty of light and mois- 

 ture. Such trees not only produce the best seed, but they are the most 

 profitable to retain on the land because of the rapidity of their growth. 

 They should be trees exposed to the wind so that the seed will be scat- 

 tered as far as possible. There is great temptation often to reserve for 

 seed trees such specimens as are not salable, such as hollow, crooked, 

 broken, or diseased trees. Damaged trees do not yield a large quantity 

 or a good quality of seed, and make comparatively poor seed trees. It 

 may, however, be advisable to reserve such trees. Crooked and forked 

 trees, if sound and healthy, make good seed trees. If, however, a second 

 cutting is expected during the life of the seed tree, it would probably be 

 best to leave trees that will grow rapidly into valuable timber. 



The hardwood forest may be divided into four types: the plateau, 

 the chestnut (subdivided into ridge, slope, and cove), the red oak, and 

 the beech and maple. The management for each of these types will be 

 given separately. 



Plateau type. — Most of this type .is owned as small woodlots (small 

 areas of forest land on farms). Therefore the management should aim 

 to furnish the various classes of material needed by the owner himself 

 and by the local market, as well as to keep the land as productive as 

 possible. 



There are several forms of forest common to this type, each one re- 

 quiring slightly different management, because the variation of species 

 makes it necessary to vary treatment of the forest. Where the forests 

 are composed entirely of hardwood species, represented mainly by black 

 oaks, in most cases any tendency of the more desirable species to repro- 

 duce should be encouraged. Yellow poplar, if present at all, should be 

 given every opportunity to reproduce, by leaving seed trees wherever 

 possible, and by keeping out fires. Chestnut and hickory are both val- 



