26 
clearing planted 20 ft. by 20 ft. or 108 trees per acre. This will, 
as a rule, come into tapping at 44 years with an average number of 
60 to 70 trees per acre, during the next year the number per acre 
will be increased to, say, 90, leaving about 10 trees per acre, which are 
still too small. I have made allowance for the loss of eight trees 
from disease, wind or other causes. The spread of a normal five-year- 
old tree on an up-country estate is. say, 18 to 20 ft., if then all trees 
are of a uniform size and shape there is a superficial area to allow 
for growth. 
The remaining 10 trees have probably been stunted in growth 
for one of the following reasons: (1) poor soil, (2) deformed roots, 
(3) poor jat of tree. These trees will naturally grow at a slower 
rate than their neighbours and if retained might possibly be 
tapped in their sixth or seventh year, the yield from them will 
probably be poorer, and 1 consider that, as a general rule, as soon as 
90 per cent, of the trees in a clearing planted 20 ft. by 20 ft. are 
tappable the balance might be dispensed with right away. It 
is both easier and cheaper to cut them out while still small. After 
this it should be the policy of the estate to take out trees by selection 
each year. The following are the measurements showing the spread 
of trees taken from clearings of normal growth at various ages : 
6-year old ... ... ... 22 ft. 
8 „ 27/29 ft. 
10 „ 28/30 ft. 
The number to be taken out yearly will depend on the average 
growth of the estate and no rule can be laid down other than 'this - viz ., 
that as soon as the natural development of the trees shows signs of 
being checked, the number of trees per acre should be reduced. • The 
first and most obvious signs are a large number of lower branches dying 
off and an upward tendency on the branches in their attempts to get 
sunlight. 
The case of young clearings is comparatively simple and its 
practical application clearly shown by the following records : 
A 1 Clearing. 
. No. of trees Yield Yield 
Year. Area tapped. p er acre. per tree. per acre. 
7th year 120 ... 121 ... 2.93 ... 355 
8th „ ... 120 ... 86 ... 4.64 ... 401 
9th „ ... 120 ... 77 ... 6.69 ... 533 
It should be clearly understood that in the case of young 
clearings thinned out or widely planted originally, the yield per acre 
will not be as large as that on a closely planted estate. The effect 
will probably not be felt before the third or fourth year of tapping 
but it will endanger the health and yield of the estate in subsequent 
years when the estate should normally be increasing in value. 
