The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-11-26
HOW FORESTS GROW
TIERS ARE TWO GREAT TYPES,
THE PURE AND MIXED.

c"0 Va the marvellous FeNts OF Nature
In the Balancing of Conditions
Where Trees of Different Habits
Enter the Struggle For Existence-
The laws which govern the distribu
ton of trees produce the two great
types, the pure and the mixed forest,
The former is the result Of local con-
ditions which trees of one kind only
ran survive.
In the North woods the balsam OF
cupies the swamps, usually to the ex.
clusion Of all competitors, since nc
other of the native trees can thrive In
wet places. In the Black Hills and
otter parts of the middle west the
small demands of the bSll pine upon
moisture enable it to form pure woods
on a soil too dry to support other ma
tive trees. The Jack pine Of the New
Jersey Darrens and the long leaf pine
OF the southern states grow in pure
or nearly pure stands since they alone
can withstand the peculiar conditions
Of these regions.
Where climate and soil are favorable
to various trees we find the mixed for.
est, the number of species in mixture
depending upon the suitability of the
locality to forest growth.
Upon the hardwood fats Of the Adj
rondacks the hard maple, the yellow
birch and the beech are the only de-
ciduous trees able to withstand the Sc
we're climate. In the southern Appa-
lachian forests, where the trees Of the
north and south meet under conditions
favorable to both, we find more than
100 different kinds.
The distribution of trees, therefore
: is the joint result of local conditions
and of the individual and varying re
quirements of the different species up
on moisture, soil and climate. Tit
laws, however, which govern forest dis
tribution are not Identical with thos'
which regulate the behavior of tree
in mixture. They do not explain VIII,
ID each species, If undisturbed, maintain
the same proportion In the mixed for
al est. Why does not the hard mapl
a drive out its competitors In the Adiron
" dacks, the oak gain the upper hand L
.irl the forests Of the southern Appala
mol chiaps, the red FIR exterminate tn
w.. western bemlock on the Pacific slope
te Wherever a mixed forest occur
lis there is an unrelenting struggle goin
oh on. Let us see how the combatant
be are armed and why the representado
of each species remains unchanged.
he The more important Of the characte
va istics which affect the capacity OF
tin tree to hold its own in mixture vii
th- trees of other kinds are its demand
no upon light, its rate of growth and l
asst power Of reproduction. No two speci
k REQUIRE an equal amount of light, gro
his at the same rate or are Identical
,evl their capacity to reproduce themselve
the The endowment Of each. with habi
Law differing from those Of its neighpol
but with strength and weakness
led balanced that all which occur In mi
n q ture enter the struggle for existen
akaI upon an equal footing, Is one OF I
oht marvellous feats.of nature.
ms The red spruce Of the North woo'
noe through its ability to endure der
the shade. has been given the power
him hold its own against faster grow
,es. competitors, some Of which exceed
ION. greatly In their capacity to reprods
Inn. themselves. The young spruces WI
sat. spring up here and there through
no the forest struggle along under
,ost heavy crowns of the hard woods, VIII
orv tree making more insistent demal
ss,v upon light could not survive.
he In the forests Of the southern .
nolachians the oak is In many locall'
nod the characteristic tree. Growing !
idly and exceedingly hardy, 1t mignI
oos. expected to increase steadily It's
,tor norton In the mixture. The equiv
,rs- nm is maintained through the fact
the the oak can enuuie ~ ,,,,it,no
and that its seed Is heavy, limiting
ranroduction to the immediate vlcll
of the parent tree.
In the same region the yellow po
kets and the chestnut, both trees WI
grow rapidly and are capable OF en-
r,sonl inc considerable shade, are contro
100, tho one because much of its see'
croesl barren. the QUIET DcSouSS --'
% of nuts are eaten by animals. Ana
rock red cedar, of slow growth ana So
allied representation, is aided through
Trare distribution of its seeds by bros
Near their power to terminate unimpa,
10 ot The aspen, short lived and requl
rv,th much light, holds its own with 10
long lived and shade enduring trees pee
"A Of its downy seed is produced 10
was quantities and Is scattered iar
: ths wide by the wind. The ash ana
antedl Eastwood, of rapid growth ana pea
-, 90 an abundance OF seed, are withnei
strong demands upon light and D.
ths seed OF fresh and fertile soil
.,ssedl red FIR, equaIed by few North anne
,ssh. trees IN rapidity OF growth ana .
snail, wise well equipped TO gain tne
',~sd band IN lbs region, IL controlled tni
nns me usual failure OF it, seed 10 y
~. =, nate except when accident mas 70