FOREST PLANTING IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. Ye 
life of the plantation as the present figure. In estimating future 
returns from plantations started to-day, the land values assumed 
should be as high as those at present in effect, and even somewhat 
higher if the general trend in land values of the region is upward. 
Even at the low interest rate of 3 per cent growing trees on land 
worth $100 to $150 an acre for the sole purpose of obtaining lumber 
and other products will not, at the present stumpage prices, prove a 
profitable undertaking. But if the plantation serves also as a pro- 
tection against wind such planting should pay very well. It has 
been found that due to the protection afforded by the most efficient 
erove windbreaks the yield in farm crops is increased to the extent 
of that grown on a strip three times as wide as the height of the 
trees... The protection afforded by his grove of ash and maple has 
been estimated by one farmer in lowa to save him $300 per year in 
feed for his stock. 
In view of advancing stumpage prices, it seems safe to estimate the 
yields from future plantations as being equal at least to the highest 
yields from plantations made in the past on similar sites. Timber 
products, moreover, will almost certainly advance in value, though it 
is open to question whether this advance will be sufficient to offset the 
rapidly increasing value of the land. 
INDIVIDUAL SPECIES. 
COMMON COTTONWOOD (Populus deltoides Marsh.). 
The common cottonwood is the most rapid growing of the trees 
commonly planted.. It is not exacting in regard to soil, but requires 
an abundance of moisture. It is very hardy and is especially adapted 
for planting on poor, sandy river-bottom sites where the water table 
is within from 4 to 6 feet of the surface. When 30 or 40 years old 
the trees begin to die in the tops and the stand to deteriorate. For its 
best development cottonwood requires an abundance of sunlight, and, 
if planted in groves, a wide spacing of 12 by 12 to 12 by 15 feet is 
needed. Closer spacing not only adds to the initial expense but 
results in the death of many trees from crowding before they are large 
enough to be of much value. When planted in groves, however, 
cottonwood should be underplanted with some such species as silver 
maple, in order fully to utilize the ground. This would insure better 
forest conditions than are generally found in open groves of pure 
cottonwood, and would promote the production of clear timber of a 
fairly high value. The main product derived from cottonwood is 
lumber, and from maple, cordwood. 
A stumpage value for cottonwood of $8 per thousand board feet is 
considered low. In lowa it brings from $10 to $12. For inside 
dimension timbers cottonwood is as good as higher priced material. 
The timber has been used for corncribs and barns. Heavy cotton- 
wood planks, because of their toughness when seasoned, are especially 
desirable for the sides of horses’ stalls. 
1 Forest Service Bulletin 86, ‘‘ Windbreaks.” 
