The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-02-22
IMPORTANT POINTS
FOR THE WOOD LOT
i(Prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)


ment of Agriculture.)
4 I. Dead and dying trees should be
removed. This not only utilizes mate
rial which is fairly dry, and which
would otherwise be wasted, but lessons
the danger of fire.
l,-2. Good sound straight logs ordi-
narily should not be used for fuel,
since they are more valuable for lum-
Der. There is a great difference be-
tween the prices paid for logs Of diff
ferent grades, even of the same kind
iiof wood. Branches, crooked and de-
icayed logs, trunks broken In telling or
otherwise defective, should be used for
lfirewood.
8. Trees likely to be attacked by
insects or fungi should be removed to
safeguard those which remain. In
eastern New England, for example,
the gypsy moth is serious enemy Of
the aspen, Eastwood, beech. gray and
paper birch, boxelder, serviceberry,
dwarf and staghorn sumac, tamarack,
,glaucous willow, witch hazel, and prac-
itically all the native oaks. Several Of
these species are Of little value and
can well be removed, thus reducing the
food available for the insects. Where
the chestnut blight Is serious, the
chestnut should be largely cut.
4. No portion Of the woodland
should be cut clean unless the owner
ihas carefully considered the matter
land decided that that particular part
IFS best adapted for farm purposes or
that he will replant it with forest
trees. Old trees, where they predomi.
mate, should be gradually removed,
since they are not increasing In value.
1.-THE next generation of trees will be
largely determined by those which are
left for seed. The successful dairyman
istudies his records as kept by the cow
testing association, sells his less profit
able cows, and breeds those which are
producing the greatest amount of but
ter fat. In the same way the success
full woodland owner will study the
Igrowth and uses Of the different kinds
jof trees. He will then cut out those
lof little value and slow growth and
keep for seed purposes those which
Twill produce valuable lumber in a rel
iatively short time.
To secure second growth Of bet
tier trees, several things must be borne
i'm mind: (a) Too large openings
lshould not be made, because the
Iground will dry out and weeds, like
berry bushes, will come in and crowd
|out the young trees. For this reason
ut Is often good plan ~ leave some
lof the inferior trees for shade. (b)
Some trees, like the oaks, hickories
land beech, have heavy seeds or nuts
(which cannot be transported any dis.
Itance except by animals or birds, while
Others like the birch, maple, ash anc
password have light seeds which are
carried long distances by the wind.
yS'ore this reason more frequent seed
trees of the nut varieties are necessary
Ito get good stocking Of young trees.
8. Woodlands made up of nearly
even-aged stand of second-growth are
more comparable to the garden than
to the dairy. Here the problem is to
remove the weeds as means of get
ting quicker yield of timber. The
small, stunted trees are the weeds,
since they can never make a normal
growth. The large, healthy trees
should be- favored, because they will
grow rapidly to maturity. They are
not to be, confused with the mature
trees In the old woodland, though In
general the same speciesNWill be ia.
both cases. a>