Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-08-02
OF TREES
BULLETIN FROM
THE DEPARTMENT. OF u.
AGRICULTURE.

THE DEPARTMENT. or
AGRICULTURE.
Washington, D.. CT. Aug Trees
are fixed, almost infiexible, in their
habits. For centuries. indeed as lolg
as we have record, each species has
| kept in it's beaten ways; insisting on
the same average Of temperature and
| refusing to grow where this could
| not be found seeking and occupying
certain kinds OF soil and demanding
certain amounts of moisture and
avoiding situations where these were
| wanting
| The latest authorities go SO far as
i to declare that trees. connot be ac-
climatised; that is, that even the in
genuity and perseverance of man are.
unable to induce trees to change thei:.
habits far enough to adopt country
not c',>sely like their native habitat.
! For time the forester may use var
ious devices. to surround tree with
artificial conditions by which. ST.. to
! speak. the tree is deluded into feel
ing at home. But as soon as the for
| ester's care i is Withdrawn in such
cases, the tree is seized With home.
sickness and dies Of it.
This fastidiousness in the habits Of
trees has its good and its bad sides.
| 1t absolutely limits the forester
choice Of trees to grow in a given re-
gion. To seek to force the growth
in uncongenial conditions is entirely
fruitIess. But. on the other hand,
there is practical certainty of results
| If beech or spruce thrives where the
average warmth and moisture of the
growing season from year to year
ranges between certain degrees, then
wherever else, in the northern hemis-
i phere at least, the same average is
i found, the forester may plant beech
of spruce whether or not they be not
already there, with confidence that
| they will flourish. Ell
/ The same law works both ways. II
i the forester finds beech or spruce or
4 any other tree growing in region CT
| which the climatic cond itions are not
recorded, he knows within very mar
row limits what the climate is, simp-
" because he knows that at home
this tree grows In such g climate.
{ In other words, trees, especially Of
1 course those which are particularly
tfastidious,s are very satisfactory sub.
stitutes for thermometers and baro'
meters so far as the average tempera'
ture and moisture conditions during
1.-THE vebetatdve season are concerned
There is a close relation between
a trees demands upon temperature
and it's demands upon soil. Given the
proper temperature, it will grow
where the temperature is not ideal,
The colder and wetter the soil, the
better will it grow with relatively
| low temperature. Thus, on a north
ern slope the forester will often fine
it safe to plant trees which would mo-
thrive on the southern slope OF thu
same mountain. because northern
I slopes are cooler and moister thar
, southern ones. and this differences
, may suffice to offset a slight disad
vantage in the general temperature
of the region.
| There lis a wide variation anon:
, | trees as to the range of Temperature
4 / which they endure. Some, such q
the Douglas fir, yellow pine, eastern
spruce or aspen, grow over wild
: areas from south to north: Others
, such as Mexican white pine, eucalyI
tus or redwood, are more narrow
confined. But dt should not be II
: ferred that only geographic lines ca
be drawn for the distribution OF an
species. The right temperature col
ditions may be found outside Of tn
geographic distribution at higher g
lower attitudes. A southern specie
whose home is in the mountains ma
, possess a second home in the nortl
! ern ATTITUDES of a level country, an
a northern, loWIand species ma
thrive on mountains DIN the south.
4 Frequently trees are distributed g
er country not continuously, but
isolated groups, like black henlacl
which OCCURS IN the sierras. IN e
: Cascades, and at sea level lin Alask
( but not In the lower country betWee
Z This is simply because the require
temperature. though prevalent IN q
g northern part Of a region, is TOUT
8 EonIy in the higher attitudes as q
goes farther and farther to the sout
The forester, following these bros
I first principles Of silviculture, rn'
2 work In harmony with nature and
p achieve In every locality the best