48 BULLETIN 234, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
DISEASES. 
Little can be done to protect the lodgepole-pine forests from fungi 
and mistletoe, except to remove whenever practicable all diseased 
trees and to keep cut-over areas free from debris. Partly mer- 
chantable trees attacked with rot should be felled and the sound por- 
tions utilized. All infected trees, however, whether merchantable 
or not, should be felled, if possible, as a measure of protection to the 
remaining stand. 
GRAZING. 
The grazing of live stock is usually helpful in a lodgepole-pine 
stand as a means of reducing the fire danger. On recently cut-over 
areas, however, sheep grazing should be carefully regulated, if 
allowed at all, until reproduction is well established. Where an 
unusually heavy sod is an obstacle to reproduction, heavy grazing by 
sheep may be a means of exposing the mineral soil. 
SUMMARY. 
Lodgepole pine is the most important commercial species over a 
large part of the Rocky Mountains. It is already used for railroad 
ties, mine timbers, and fence posts, and in the future will no doubt 
be extensively employed for telephone poles and rough lumber. In 
addition to their commercial value, the lodgepole-pine forests are of 
great importance as a protective cover on the watersheds. 
Overmature stands of lodgepole pine should be cut practicaUy 
clean. Mature stands should be cut under the group selection system 
in order to prevent an overproduction of small material and to 
secure increased growth of the smaller trees left. In marking under 
this system, the aim should always be to insure against excessive 
windfall. Overdense young stands should be thinned whenever 
practicable. As a general thing, no special measures need be taken 
to secure reproduction. All brush on timber-sale areas should be 
piled and burned. Where artificial reforestation is necessary, plant- 
ing will usually be the most satisfactory method, though direct seed- 
ing may give satisfactory results on exceptionally favorable sites. 
Protection from fire is the first step in systematic forest management. 
