HARDWOOD SUPPLIES. 
31 
generally the least estimated of the hardwoods. Owing to its 
irregular distribution, ash is of local importance only, though 
in some places it is claimed that ash logs are as easily procured 
as almost any other. (Oconto county.) 
Among trees of secondary importance aspen (poplar), white 
birch, butternut and beech may be mentioned in order of their 
economic value. The aspen (poplar), both the common aspen 
and large-toothed aspen are found in all parts of the area, but 
are conspicuous as timber trees only in the northern forests, 
especially of Douglas, Bayfield, and Ashland counties. These 
aspens (poplars) take possession of all burned slashings, but 
aside from their value as nurse trees to pine and better woods 
the aspens on the slashings of North Wisconsin have generally 
been of no value so far, and it appears doubtful if they ever 
will be except in a few localities, chiefly in the better sandy 
loam districts. 
The white birch is best developed near Lake Superior, but 
never grows large, generally remaining a mere sapling, com¬ 
monly less than 12 inches in diameter and 50 feet in height. In 
this territory it is almost always a member of mixed woods, 
often' joining the white pine, and rarely forms thickets by itself 
(on some burned areas in Forest county.) It is cut for chair 
stock, etc., but 90 per cent, of all white birch is too small for 
present markets. 
The butternut is sparingly scattered over the better loam 
lands as far north as the Iron Range. It occurs isolated, rarely 
in small groups, and though it grows to good size its distribution 
here seems uncertain and accidental. 
The beech is restricted to the sandy loam lands of the Green 
Bay region, and invades only the edges of the real loam or clay 
lands of northern Oconto and Shawano counties. Wherever 
seen, it appears to thrive, is abundant in all sizes and evidently 
reproduces well. 
Throughout the hardwood forests all stages from the seed¬ 
ling to the old and decaying timber trees are represented. In 
some cases the stand of old, mature timber is quite heavy, and 
