19- 
conelude that the forest would, in a few generations, be¬ 
come a pure stand of maple. Closer observation soon shows 
that a very small percentage of these ever mature* Accord¬ 
ing to Frothingham (13) the trees seed every 3-5 years 
under forest conditions; and oven-aged groups of very close- 
standing seedlings are of common occurrence* They prefer 
mapia leaf-mold and avoid areas covered with hemlock needles* 
The close and abundant growth of the seedlings results in 
such severe competition that the individuals are weakened and 
most of them succumb to suppresion or disease. However, the 
seedlings are very tolerant of shade conditions, arid a few 
here and there are able to persist, and take advantage of the 
increased light occasioned by a windfall* Indeed, the relative 
stand of maple and other hardwoods in the hemlock climax seems 
mainly to be conditioned by the number of windfall areas. In 
such areas. Hubus parviflorus often forms a ground cover, 
affording more or less protection to young seedlings which are 
exposed to strong sunlight. 
BKTULA LUSHA (yellow birch). - This tree, coming 
next to maple in its distribution, is an important element 
in the climax formation. In the forest it becomes slim and 
tall with a clean bole, having limbs only near the top. A 
specimen was observed along a woods road about 30 m. tall, 
ivith a broad crown, occupying half the height; this tree was 
