Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-01-09
PROPULSION of Nature Yields to Mans Sparser
Planting, in Scientific Rebuilding of Forests

white pin and POnderOsa, or yellow
nine, which is noticeable because Il
looks so different from the usual
bodies Of young timber. There are size
able rather definite blocks or groups
with all trees about the same size.
All the blocks of this timber stand
are distinguished by the regularity OF
distances between the trees, by the
trees being in rows, and by the trees
being all Of the valuable timber species.
These characteristics reveal what this
area is-an accomplishment OF arti-
fetal forestation-a forest plantation
in the northern Rocky Mountain ma
tional forest region.
Swept by Fire
Before the area was planted It had
been swept by fire twice and denuded.
The first fire. in 1910. destroyed fine
stand of virgin timber. The second
fire. in 1919 consumed the very young
trees which nature had sown from the
seed of a small number OF larger trees
which had escaped the first flames:
1t also destroyed this seed source OF
older trees, so likelihood that the land
would again be restored to timber pro-
duction through natural reSeedlng De-
came extremely remote
Planting of the area was commenced
in 1922 and was annually EXTENDED
until 1890 The largest trees are now
nearly Is years old, and stand 10 to II
feet in height This growth has very
effectively healed the fire scars.
This plantation is one OF many
throughout the northern Rocky Noun
tain region. Altogether there are $4,000
acres rsnging from the now good-sized
trees which were planted shortly after
the DISASTROUS forest fires of 1910, to
the little fellows which are Just be-
ginning their fight for existence after |
two to four years of more assured lie /
in a tree nursery.
Difficult Problem
Reforestation of denuded forest lands 4
is one of the most difficult land man
agement problems in this region, IN
volving among other things: What to
plant. where to plant, when to plant,
and how to plant, and do 1t most
economically.
Tree plantations are the result OF
setting out little trees-two to four
wears old-which have been raised from
seed in a nursery Efforts made during
a number of years to SOW collected
seed directly on the areas TO be re-
forested-to do as Nature does-proved
unsuccessful. Nature IS very proluS,e1
when it sowS tree seeds; only still
smaller portion Of the sprouts live
through the hot, dry summer. Man
cannot afford to collect and SOW large
enough quantities of seed to initiate
Nature. Hence, man must SOW the SEEDS
where the sprouts can be watered and
otherwise cared for in the nursery,
where the destructive competitlon
from weeds can be controlled. until the
volInp trees are hardy enough to per-
sist without further care after being
set out. Further studies and expert
ments in reforestation by seeding are
still being carried on with the nope
that if a solution Of the difficulties IS
found. new forests can be established
without the cost and delay Of nursery
planting.
Planting Period
The whole period during which tree
nlantinp can be wisely undertaken in
the northern Rocky Mountain region
totals about two and a half months
annually in two separate SeasonS-one
from the middle of April to the end Of
Nav in the spring, and the other DUR
ing the month of October in the fan.
The greatest period for any one To-
cality. however, does not exceed six
weeks In spring, planting operations
are begun in the lower elevations, and
move to higher levels as the season
progresses In autumn. the order is
reversed. Between the two seasons,
IN the summer months, the weather
is too hot and dry for new trees to
gain foothold.
In those early days, the forest Of
ficers chose for planting white pine
and PonderoSa pine, the most valuable /
timber species which are natural to
the region. This program still predom-
mates, with the addition OF measure
Of use of spruce for lands OF higher
altitude than is suitable for the two
pines, since spruce is valuable pulp
timber.
Seed Selection
Accumulated experience, observation
and study have shown that seed from
different localities produce different
results; therefore, the seed for plant
ing stock is collected from areas as
nearly like those chosen for planting
as possible Likewise, the source OF the
seed from which young seedlings for
planting have been grown is consid-
cred, when these trees are sent to any
area for planting.
Painting methods, too. have been de-
veIoped through experience. Today
planting crews, moving In line across
an area, work with specially designed
hand mattocks with which to dig the
holes to receive the little trees roots
end then to lamp the earth back into
place. Each man Of the planting crew
has been trained in how to handle the
delicate little trees, how to spread their
survival, how to pick the most favor
able spots in which to set the trees.
The results Of these advances in
planting technique show up In plan
fations. During the last 10 years there
have been an average OF $50 trees
planted per acre, Of which so or rs
percent become established and live.
This survival rate Is on the upgrade,
and Is expected to increase.
Where 20 Start
IN spite Of the fact that tree plant
ing has been under way in the region
for a quarter Of q century there still
are many thousands Of acres Of forest
land which need TO be reforested. and
the leading question today Is where to
start The total area Of damaged forest
lands Is so great that care IN selection
Of planting sites Is necessary in order
that the most beneficial results may
come from the expenditure Of limited
funds Planting at present is limited to
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