TIMBER GROWING IN DOUGLAS FIR REGION 23 
in a very few years to normal, or to a better condition than if the 
area is burned. Where slash "burning is not done, however, it is 
imperative that doubly efficient protection be given the land for a 
few years until the stage of acute inflammability is passed. 
In this type there is sometimes practiced what almost corresponds 
to selective logging—taking out the big firs and spruces and leaving 
a heavy stand of hemlock. These hemlocks so shade the eround. 
that inflammability is low and temporary; to burn the slash would 
kill them and add greatly to the fire danger. Obviously, here 
broadcast burning would not accomplish its object. 
SEED SUPPLY 
To supplement the stored seed that may survive slash burning 
and to give more security against complete and permanent devasta- 
tion by accidental reburns, some seed supply should be provided. 
As has already been pointed out, this may be either in the form of 
single seed trees scattered over the area or in the form of groups or 
bodies of uncut timber at not too great a distance. 
FROM SINGLE SEED TREES 
In most Douglas fir operations there are occasional large trees 
affected with conk to such a degree as to be of very low commercial 
value; on some watersheds they occur as frequently as two or three 
to the acre over large areas. It is somewhat of a gamble whether 
the merchantable material they yield would pay for the cost of 
‘“‘falline’’ and handling them. At present there is considerable 
variation in the methods used by operators in disposing of such 
trees. Operators cutting for the log market leave them standing 
rather than handle unsalable cull material; those cutting for their 
own mills are likely to “‘fall’”’ them. 
It is recommended that these trees of dubious merchantable value 
be left standing, when this can be done without seriously incon- 
veniencing the loggers. Douglas fir is the best species to leave. 
Where it does not occur, the best of the other windfirm and fire- 
resistant trees may be left. Seed trees should always have well- 
formed crowns, appear windfirm, and be up to the average of the 
stand in size. ‘Two trees per acre are plenty, but more may have 
to be left by the fallers to provide for loss in brush burning. Within 
150 or 200 feet of landings and railroad tracks seed trees are un- 
desirable. 
Leaving seed trees of questionable merchantable value is a wise 
reforestation measure and may often be done without unreasonable 
sacrifice of merchantable stumpage. To have a good woodsman, 
like the bull bucker, designate in advance of the fallers the trees of 
this sort which might be left, or ought not to be cut, may actually 
save the operator money. 
FROM ADJACENT UNCUT TIMBER 
Some logging operations are so laid out that no part of the cut-over 
acreage is ever very far from standing timber. This may be either 
patches of unmerchantable trees, timber on the upper slopes of a 
narrow valley, or stumpage of other ownerships. Within a reason- 
able distance this bordering timber wiil help seed up the ground 
