8 BULLETIN 722, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. - 
off the branch is a sure sign of the typical rot within. The red color 
may not show at the base of every branch, in which case several may 
be examined. If the red color does not show after the knot has been 
opened with the corner of an ax, the branch may still show a yellow- 
ish dry-rot or the usual flinty consistency of a naturally pruned 
branch has given way to a loosened condition of its annual rings. 
This may be taken to indicate an initial stage of the rot only at this 
point, however, for the heartwood of the tree may be entirely decayed, 
due to the fungus having entered at another point. Knocking off 
~4 Pe “ w 4 
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Fic. 5.—Sale area after logging (private logging operations), showing defective hemlocks left standing, a 
waste of valuable material and a menace to the surrounding forest. Note the ‘‘conks”’ on the trunks. 
a few dead branches with an ax does not require much time and is a 
very good method to use in such a case. 
In general, individual trees growing under suppressed conditions 
or a type developing in a close stand can be expected to disclose a 
Jarge amount of decay, especially when growing -on moist river- 
bottom sites. The slope type of stand must be judged more care- 
fully, and it is often the case that in vigorous stands an infected tree 
will yield the first two logs sound while the upper portion of the trunk 
will be in the last stages of decay. Under such conditions sounding 
by blows will not be found practicable, but the presence high on the 
trunk of many branch stubs, dead branches, and sporophores will 
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