OCR Text |
Show EFFECT OF THINNING FOREST TREES TREES MUST HAVE SUNLIGHT AND AIR IF THEY ARE TO PRODUCE THE BEST RESULTS. If we want-strong, healthy trees In the woodlot it Is Just as important thn wo thin out tho trees as it la to thin out the oung fruit. Tho pictures pic-tures show what may be accomplished by thinning. They are from photo- Site Group of Chestnuts beforo thinning. graphB taken by A. F. Hawes, stato forestor of Connecticut. In figure 1 tho trees In tho center of tho group are strong and straight but tho smaller ones form a mass of foliage, tho removal of which helped tho others. This Is shown by tho trees In figure 2. Tho trees left standing stand-ing arc now exposed to the light and freo from the sapping by tho mass of foliago and small trees which havo been removed and will grow into strong, tall trees. In cutting mature timber tho chief concern Is to pecure satisfactory reproduction re-production as soon as possible Tho "group method" Is generally tho best adaptod for farm woodlots. Select a spot, or several spots. If one will not supply what Is wanted, whore the forest for-est crop Is ripest possibly overripe and clear, with due care for young growth, a hole In tho forest, taking care that tho diametor of this hole Is pot more than two or three limes tho height of the surrounding trees. Gradually widen these holes by cutting cut-ting In concentric rings about them until the whole area has been cut over. It should be borne In mind, however, how-ever, that If In any ono year more wood. is cut than grows on the wholo woodlot In that year, tho necessary wood capital Is diminished. Where the whole area Is cut over before the part cut first had time to grow to maturity, a period will have to follow during which the woodlot will stop paying dividends. Group of Chestnuta nftcr thinning.' |