Treesearch

The most rapid progress in forest-tree improvement will be attained through artificial reforestation with superior genotypes. These trees may be native species, exotics, or hybrid combinations involving several species of diverse origins. Any tree planting creates an artificial situation, which is made even more artificial by the introduction of non-native types. In such situations, pests of various sorts-including certain mammals-maybe much more destructive than elsewhere. One of the most neglected fields of inquiry bearing on plantation success concerns the role of mammals, especially...

Measurement of precipitation on forested experimental watersheds presents difficulties other than those associated with access to and from the gages in all kinds of weather. For instance, the tree canopy must be cleared above the gage. The accepted practice of keeping an unobstructed sky view of 45" around the gage involves considerable tree cutting. On a level area, trees 30 feet tall around a gage require an opening of about 0.06 acre, and trees 60 feet tall, 0.25 acre; on slopes, the openings required can be much greater. Once cleared, the opening immediately begins to close - almost...

In the early 1950s, a region-wide series of hybrid poplar clonal tests was begun in the Northeast to evaluate the performance of 50 selected clones under a variety of site and climatic conditions. The basic test unit was a block of 50 randomized plots-1 plot for each of the 50 clones. In each plot, 16 cuttings were planted at 4-foot spacing.

In June 1960 a 5-acre plot of mixed hardwoods under intensive selection management on the Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia was weeded to eliminate poor-quality stems that were competing directly with desirable regeneration. Treatment was confined to stems in the 1- to 5-inch diameter (at breast height) classes.

Sudden and excessive exposure of northern hardwood trees often causes growth responses that degrade tree quality, injuries that lead to tree deterioration, or both. The most sensitive and visible tree reaction to increased exposure is the formation of epicormic branches. Such branches may arise along the tree bole from either dormant or adventitious buds in response to some physiological stimulus. Often, but not necessarily always, they are associated with a decline in tree vigor. If they persist, knots develop and log and lumber quality are reduced.

A resurvey of the timber resources in New Hampshire was completed in 1960. This report summarizes the timber-resource situation and the changes that have taken place in the 12 years since the first forest survey of New Hampshire. Field work for the initial survey was done entirely by the staff of the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station; the resurvey was a joint effort with the staff of the White Mountain National Forest. The National Forest personnel assumed responsibility for the resurvey of forest lands under their jurisdiction. The timber-supply outlook for the state and the demands...

This report describes first results of forest watershed management research on the Fernow Experimental Forest in Tucker County, West Virginia.