(6 qY4 A PLAN FOR THE SILVICULTURAL MANAGEMENT OF STAR ISLAND IN THE MINNESOTA NEUE EAU ane BV TO Sie 0). aso) ce eo ee GEORGE CHESTER MORBECK® 1915 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL, A LLAL Ox" FO THT SILVICULTURAL WADACE EL STAR ISLAND IN Tue WILLS SCTA NATIONAL #FCRAST. A +3 THESIS FRUSAINTAD FCR THA DEGRES OF MASTER Of FORTS TRY by Geo. C. liorbeck le Ae C., 1904 —_—_=—-— = aap 1915. THESIS Ae C. Ll. PRU LIMINARY MATTERS. rage. STAR ISLAND - Location and Size -------------------- 1 HISTORICAL CONSID=ERé TIONS -------------------------- 2 1. The Creation of the Minnesota National ¥orest -- 2 The “Morris Act" of June 27,1906 ------------ 2 The amendrent to the "Morris Act" ----------- 4. liay £3, 1908. The above laws and their effects ------------ 5 briefly summarized. 2. Alienations -----------------------------------.- 6 3. Harly surveyS ---------------------------------- 7 Lan@ office survey lines -------------------- 7 List of lands by tovnship and sections ------ 8 Other SurveyS -----------------------------=- 8 4. Harly Uses of the Forest ---~------------------- 8 5. Present and future Uses of the rorect ---------- 9 6. The Revenucs Derived --------------------------- 10 GONARAL PEYSICGrArHIC FEATURES ------------------ --- 10 1. Topopraphy +------------------------------------ 10 Highland or bluff --------------------------- 11 Swamp and marsn +---------------------------- ll Tyres (4) 26 sSuriace ---------------------------------------- 12 Se Drainesce --------------------------------------- 13 4. Soil Conditions -------------------------------- 13 5. Climate ---------------------------------------- 14 Temperature and seasons --------------------- 15 trecipitation ------------------------------- 15 WANGS setae een ne rn re te 16 SOCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CCNSIDTRATIONS --------------- 16 1. Fopulation ------------------------------------- 16 Density - distribution ------------------------- 16 Nativity ------------------------ --------------- 16 Thrift, etc, -----------------------------=------ 17 Occupations -------------------—--------------+--- 17 Lumbering and-milling ----------------------- 1” Agricultural pursuits ----------------------- 17 Manufecturing, etC@. ~------------ 9-2 --------- 18 £e Decendence of Inhabitants on Forest Industries-- 18 Se The Lumber Industry ---------------------------- 18 a. Logging ----~--------------------------------- 18 Methods --------------------~------------ 18 Cost of each operation ----------------- 19 Tabor, and wages paid ------------------ 20 b. The value of ¢gtumpare and prices paid for logs 21 @. Marxets for forest products ----------------- ce ° TABLA Ca" CCNDEA™N TS. G1U2935 B. Cc. Ae de Pilling a ee ee ee ee ee wen wee we ee ee ee oes es ee ee ee ee ee oe ae ee ee oe es ee we ee ee oe os es es £9 sresent milline cperations --------------- RO Metnods ---------------------------- Lo COSTS -ne eH anne n- - -- - - - + = - = 24. e. The tox factory -------~-------------=---=------ £5 Naterial used anc dimensions ------------- £5 The manufecture of fox shooks ------------ 25 Labor employed ----------~----------------- ZO f. The present prices of lumber at Cass ILaxe ---- 26 Red pine (listed by frades --------------- £ ge. Markets for the manufacture? product --------- 27 Lurber --2-<<<<-<--- sent ne ea eee eee ne -- a7 Local --- --2- 2-2 - - e - - - --- ot Dietant se-\------------------------ m¢ Box ChooksS #------------------------------ £8 4. Trantyportation Facilities and Freight Rates ----- £8 A DIGZST Of RECOLTTAISSANCZ FIELD AID OFFICE WORK ---- £9 le Time ---«8——-—-+~—..-..--1 ee ee ee ee ee £9 2. Parties «-------------------------~--------------- 29 3e. Primary Control --------------------------------- 29 4. Method of Reconnaissance -----~-<-----~-----------. BO 5. Recording Data (with sheets, etc.) -------------- Zl Jl. TH! PCREDT. THe STAND: BY TYIES -------~-------------------------- 33 1. General Conditions ------------------------------ 33 ee The Pure iorway fine Type ----------------------- 34 3. The lure White tine Type ------------------------ 37 4. The liixed Pine Types --------------------—-------- 39 So. The Mixed dardwood Type -~----------------------- 40 6. Pure Hardwood Types ----<-------<----- meme wen 41 Birch se------0- = 92-2 2 ne enn - 5 - 4l ASPON -3-]- een on ee - -- -- - - 42 THE GROWING STOCK, ----------------<- --- + ---------- + - 42 THES AGS CLASSES ------------------------------------- 42 The age claSS MAP ---- eee rn nee nn - H- - - ee - = 44 Limits of the age classes -----------~----------- 44 Present distribution of age classes ------------ 45 INCREM UND -------------------------------- ----------- 46 quality increment ------------------------------ 46 Frice increment -------------------------------- 46 Lil. TRSATMENT OF THE #SCRAST TO SECURE SUSTAINED YINLD. THE OBJECTS TO Ba ATTALIIUND IN MANAGENIND #----------- 4” le. The General Policy of the Forest Service -------- 47 The production of saw logs ------------------- 47 To put the land to its best use -------------- 47 To preserve the present attractiveness ------- 47 B. C. THS SEECITS TO FR USSD IN VMANAGREWERN]D ------+---------- 1. The Wnite Line ---------------~~-~-~---~--------~----- 26 The Norway Fine #-------------------------------- 3. Cther Sjecies «---------------------------------- HW SILVICULTURAL IMPQrObS RICO MND") --------------.- 1. A Discussion of Various lrossible Methods -------- The seed tree method ----~------~-~~~---~..- ~~~ The shelterwood system ---------------------. Clear cutting and planting ----------------~-- 2e The Silvicultural Systems Recormended ----------- 3. The Rotation #-------.«-----~---~+--~~-.~... ~~.-~--- Factors affecting the choice of a rotation -- Technical vs. financial rotation ------------ The rotation age -man-8---------------------- 4. Marking RuleS ----------------<------------------ 5. Brush Disposal ---------------------------------- LV. TH REGULAL LON C# THs YISLD. THE NCMUAL GROWING STOCK +---------------------------- 1. The Determination of the Normal Growing Stock in a Mature Forest ------- oe ee oe tee a oe ee en ee £. Discussion of Methods of Determining the Normal Growing Etoek ----------------------------------- 3. The Normal Groving Stock ------------------------ TH: YIELD ------------------------------------------- 1. Difficulties in the Determination cf the Yield -- 2. Determination of the Annual Yield. --------------- Se Dietritution of the Surplus Growing Stocx ------- DISTRIBUTICN OF TIT? YIELD ~---------------+-+----------+ le. The Division of the Island into Compartments and Sub-Compartments -------- --------~------~+---+------ 2. The General Stand Tatle --------~------------~----- Je Cutting Plan for Vorkine Period ----------------- a. Table showing erese and amounts to cut yearly. Ve ADMINISTRATIVE FLAN. Gencral Recommendations for the iroper Administration on Star Island iinen zlaced under lianagenent as stove Cutlined ---------- ---- 9-9-2 en en rn - 48 51 Og o4 o4 D5 26 56 O17 58 58 59 60 63 62 64 65 66 66 67 68 S2CTICN 1. PRELIMINARY MATTERS. (A) LOCATICN AND SIZ. Star Island lies in the midst of Cass Lake in the Linnesota National Forest. It is located in the west- ern portion of the lake, and is some distance from the mainland at all points except in the northwest part where Only a narrow stretch of shallow water separates the two. The Island is situated about 2 miles due north of the town of Cass Lake, the headquarters of the Forest, with which it is connected ty a sutmerged teleyhone. During the sum- mer months numerous launches ply tetween various points on the Island and the docxs at Cass Lake, and in the .inter communication is maintained on the ice. Originally the tract was known as Cooper's Is- land and on many government maps it is still so designated; to the people living in the vicinity it is generally known as Star Island, so called from its shape which is roughly that of a star, having five main prongs extending more or less prominently into the laxe. Star Island comprises arproximately 1175.5 acres, of which 185 acres are included within the boundaries of Lake Helen, a body of clear, shallow water lying in the northeastern part. Swamps and marshes occupy an area of about 186.£ acres. The portion of the Island above high water and upon which merchantable timber is found, compris- es 804.3 acres or about 66.5% of the total area within its boundaries. ivy. ¥ The shore line is remarxably regular and very ex- tensive, the latter due to the numerous long projecting points. To one unfamiliar with the Island, it appears much larger than it really is. From the end of one point to the tips of others on the opposite side, is a journey of sever- al miles. (B) HISTORICAL CONSID=RATIONS. Star Island is a very important part of the lMinn- esota National Forest, for it is one of the tracts upon which the timber shall remain uncut when the lands now with- in the Forest boundaries are formally turned over by the Interior Department to the Forest Service. The history of the Island, in so far as it is of importance in forest management, is coincident with that of the larger unit. The early happenings are of no special in- terest from a forestry standpoint and will not be considered in this treatise. (1) The Creation of the Minnesota National Forest. The Minnesota National Forest was created by an act of Congress, approved, June 27, 190c, and enjoys the distinction of being the only National Forest originating in that manner. All other Forests were created by presi- dential proclamations under the Act of March 3, 1891. The law first above named is known as the ‘Korris Act", and was & law amending Section 5 of an act approved January 14, 1889, relating to the affairs of the Chippewa Indians. The "Morris Act" has been superceded by later legislation but it is of sufficient historical interest to deserve mention, and its principal provisions are set forth telow. After having made provision for the cutting of the pine timber standing upon the Indian reservations involved there follows: "Provided further, That in cutting the timber on two hundred thousand acres of the pine lands, to be selected as s00n as practicable by the Forester of the Department of Agriculture, with the approval of the Secretary of the In- terior, on the following reservations, to wit, Chippewas of the Mississippi, Leech Lake, Cass Lake, and Winnebigoshish, which said lands so selected shall be known and hereinafter described as ‘forestry lands,’ the purchases shall te re- quired to leave standing five per centum of the pine timber thereon for the purpose of reforestation, as hereinafter provided, said five per centum to be selected and reserved in such manner and under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Forester of the Department of Agricul- ture and approved by the Secretary of the Interior: Pro- vided further, That there shall te reserved from sale or settlement the timber and land on the islands in Cass Lake and in Leech Lake, and not less than one hundred and sixty acres at the extremity of Sugar Point, on Leech Lake, and the peninsula known as Pine Foint, on which the new Leech Lake Agency is now located, which peninsula approximates seven thousand acres, and in addition thereto ten sections in area on said reservation last aforesaid, to be selected by the Forester of the Department of Agriculture, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, in lots not less than three hundred and twenty acres each in contiguous areas, and nothing herein contained shall interfere with the al- lotments to the Indians heretofore and hereafter made. The islands in Cass and Leech laxes and the land reserved at Sugar Point and Pine Foint Peninsula shall remain as Indian land under the control of the Department of the Interior." "Rach purchaser (of Indian timber) ........ shall cut clean and remove all the merchantable pine timber, whether green or dead, standing or fallen ....... and to cut no tim- ber other than pine ....... except such as may te absolute- ly necessary in the economical conduct of the logging oper- ations.“ The following is the section creating the Forest: "After the merchantable pine timber on any tract, sub- division, or lot shall have been removed, such tract, sub- division, or lot shall, except on the forestry lands afore- said, for the purposes of this Act, be classed and treated as agricultural lands, and shall be open to homestead entry in accordance with the provisions of this Act: Frovided, -~ 3 = That on the forestry lands aforesaid, as soon as the mer- chantable pine timber now thereon shall have been removed from any tract, subdivision, or lot, as herein provided, such tract, subdivision, or lot shall, without further Act, resolution, or proclamation, forthwith become and be part of a forest reserve, the same as though set apart by pro- clamation of the Fresident in accordance with the Act of Congress avproved March third, eighteen hundred and ninety- One, and subsequent laws amending and supplementing the same, and shall be managed and protected in accordance with their provisions and the rules and resulations made and to be made in furtherance thereof: And provided further, That on said forestry lands aforesaid said pine timber shall be cut clean, except as to the five per centum as hereinbefore provided, and removed under the supervision and direction of the Forester of the Departnent of Agriculture, in ac- cordance with rules and regulations to be prescribed by him and approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and the said Forester Snall have power at all times to patrol and protect said lands and forests, and to enforce all rules and regu- lations made by him as aforesaid." | Provision is mace for the tlocking up of the For- est by allowing the selection of agricultural lands within the National Forest boundaries to the extent of 25,000 acres, which land shall not subsequently be opened to settlement or entry. The law of January 14, 1989 relating to the af- fairs of the Chippewa Indians was again amended *y the act approved, May £2, 190&. This legislation accurately defines the boundaries of the Minnesota National Forest, and is the One under which the affairs of the Forest are now being con- ducted. The first section of the act sets forth clearly the Forest boundaries which are as shown on Map A, accompany- ing this treatise. The 10 sections mentioned in the earlier law upon wnich the timbef¥ is to be reserved from sale are expressly confirmed as part of the Forest. The islands and points in Cass and Leech Laxes, reserved in the original - 4 -~ act creating the Forest and placed under the juricdiction of the Interior Departrent, are specifically included with- in the National Yorest boundaries. The cutting of the timber within the Forest is provided for in the following: "The Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to proceed with the sale of the rerchantable pine upon the above described lands cutside of the 10 sections, said is- lands and points ......... and reserving 10 per centum of such timber from sale, said 10 per centum to be designated by the Forester of the United States Department of Agri- culture; and as to the timber on said 10 sections and said islands and points the said Forester is authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescrite from time to time, to sell and dispose of so much of the standing timber thereon as he may deem wise and advisable in the con- duct of a National Forest." A commission is provided for,which snall appraise the pine timber left standing on the rorest after lumbering operations shall have been completed - the 5% and the 10% left standing for seeding purposes, and the reserved timber on the 10 sections, islands and points - and the amount finally determined upon, together with a sum to be paid for the land at 1.25 per acre shall be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury into the fund held in trust for the Chippewa Indians. Provision is made in the law for the purchase of Indian allotments located within the Forest, out of moneys derived from the sale of forest products which may proyerly be disposed of by the Forest Service. A careful study of the above legislation reveals the following: The Minnesota National Forest includes within its boundaries £94,000 acres of land, from all of which, with ns with the exception of the 5% provided in the first act anda the 10% provided in the act of May 23, 1908, reserved for seeding purposes, and the 10 sections and the islands and points in Cass and Leech Lakes, the merchantable pine tin- ter has been or is now teing removed. The hardwoods on the entire tract were reserved from sale and this timber goes with the lard at a total price of 1.25 per acre. Upon the completion of the cutting of the pine timber within the boundaries of the Forest, the Indians will be paid for the pine remaining and the land out of funds in the treasury of the United States. The cutting of the timber will be completed in the year 1918, and until that time the work on the Forest will be largely protective, together with some nursery and planting work. Larger operations cannot be undertaken since the area is not yet fully under the control of the Forest Service. The FPorest has been organ- ized since its creation in 1902. (2) Alienations. Star Island is not all government land. Frior to the creation of the Forest, two allotments had been made to Indians on the tract. Fortunately, however, the allotments are small ones, and they will not seriously interfere with the proper management of the area. In this working plan they have been included as part of the tract to be placed under silvicultural management. Frovision was made in the act creating the Forest for the purchase of allotments, and it is quite likely that the Government will subsequently come into possession of these alienated areas. The allot- - 6 -« ments embrace about 50 acres in the south portion of the Is- land. One is owned by an Indian woman, and the other, occupy- ing a beautiful hardwood point overlooking the lake, is the property of the "Soo" railroad. The Company had planned to erect a summer hotel on the land but have abandoned the pro- ject. The alienated tracts are shown in color on the topo- graphy and improvement map accompanying this working plan. Several small areas on the high point extending northeastward were cleared for farming purposes by the In- diams, but have long since been abandoned. The land is now covered with an oven stand of sumac and other shrubs, and small trees, but the evidences of cultivation are still plain- ly visible. These areas are not allottsd but remain a part of the Forest. (3) arly Surveys. The townships within which Star Island lies were Surveyed years ago, and the original survey lines are dif- ficult to trace. The corner common to sections 1, <, 35 and 36 on the township line was located almost exactly, since three of the original bearing trees are yet standing and the markings upon them may be easily discerned. The quarter cor- ner one-half mile west was also approximately located. Tie township line across the entire iSland was retraced and tagged and made to serve as a base line for the reconnais- sance work wnich followed. No corners other than the two mentioned ahove were located. The Island, although comprising less land than is contained in 2 full sections, is so located that there are -~ F- within its boundaries parts of eight different sections, ly- ing in two townships. The bulk of the area lies within Cec- tion 34, Township 146 North, Range 31 Hast, 4th F.l., as may be observed from the tatle below: The Land Included within the Roundaries of otar Island Listed by Legal Subdivisions. Township 145 North, Range 31 Nast, 4th P. iM. Section 1 ----------------=-- 19.6 acres. Section 2 --------~---------- 120.0 " Total in township -------------------- 139.6 acres. Township 146 North, Range 31 Fast, 4th P. IM. section 25 ---------------- 61.5 acres. Section 26 ---------------- 29.6 +" Section 27 ---------------- 121.5 " Section 34 ---------------- 92.0 " Section 35 ---------------- 551.0 " Section 36 ---------------- 180.3 " Total in township -------------------- 1035.9 acres Total acreage of Island -------------- 1175.5 " Surveys have been made of Cass and otner laxes at the headwaters of the Mississippi, to determine treir value as reservoirs for storage purposes. “Xvidences of th: se sur- veys are not often encountered, and they have no particular value in forest managene nt. (4) Early Uses of the Forest. The forest on Star Island is a virgin tract of tine and hardwood timber. irevious to 1902 when it was taken over by the Forest Eervice the Island was a part of the Cass Lake =~ § = Indian Reservation, under the jurisdiction of the Depart- ment of the Interior. It was simply a tract of wild land owned by the Indians, and sufficiently out of the path of beaten travel that it wae only rarely visited. The Indians along about the middle of the last century cultivated small patches of land in tr north east corner. The hard maples on the south side of the Island are badly injured through the yearly crude tapping of the trees to obtain the sap for syrup and sugar making. The wooded areas are annually visited by Indians and others during the berry season and great quantities of blueberries and raspberries are gathered for home consumption and the market. (5) Present and Future Uses of the Forest. Within recent years the Island has become quite a popular summer resort. Along the South teach and on the bluffs of the east and west sides, many summer cottages have been built by people living in Cass Laxe and other near-rhy towns. A large hotel affords accommodations to transient summer visitors. The value of the tract as a resort is largely due to the primaeval forest vwhich it bears, and it is the policy of the Forest Service to maintain this con- dition perpetually. The plan for the silvicultural manage- ment of the Island as outlined in succee ding pages does not take into account the valne of the forest from an aesthetic or recreative standpoint, tut treats the area purely as a tract upon which timber is to te perpetuated for its prin- cipal value, that of producing wood supplies. All other - 9 -«- uses of the forest will be subordinate to silvicultural management. (6) The Revenues Derived. The revenues derived from tne sale of timber con- sists in the money received from one sale of dead, down and diseased timber, a; proximately 1,000,000 feet b.m. made in 1907. Except for one or two small areas cut clean on ac- count of insect infestation and whic: are not now regenerat- ing, there are no evidences of this early sale. The money derived from the Sale was paid into the treasury of the United States for the benefit of the Indians. The Forest Service receives an annual rental of 35.00 for each lot upon which summer residences have been erected. No other revenues are derived from the Island. The expenditures to date have not been large. A ranger sta- tion costing about $500.00, a very serviceable dock extend- ing 60 feet into the lake, a submarine telephone line, and @ few trails, constitute the principal improvements con- structed by the Forest Service in recent years. (C) GENERAL PHYSIOGRAPHIC FEATURES. (1) Topography. Star Island may be divided toporgrarnically into three general types: highland, lowland or plain, and marsh land or swamp. Althoush the greatest elevation found is less than fifty feet above the level of the lake, the tyres are generally sharply defined. The highlands comprise the higher parts of the Is- land, of which there are three main bodies: the long and nar- - 10 -~ row point which stretches northeastward into the lake; a well defined area in the southeastern portion; and a wide strip extending across the central part of the Island, occupying roughly one=-third of the thole area. Besides these main bodies there are a few small isolated tracts having lower elevations. The hishlands are usually flat-topped, or at least only gently sloping and show but little variation in elevation. Their slopes are uniformly very abrupt along the lake shore - much more abrupt than the linee on the contour map indicate - but landward they are often gentle and there is no sharp line of demarcation between the hifh- lands and the flats. The highland type in the weet half of the island is badly troken hy numerous small ¢ewamps, marshes and "pot- holes", and consequently the general toporraihy is very ir- refular. The lowland or plains type occupies a much emaller area than the nighiamds. They comprise all the low flat areaS which do not normally overflow, anda, therefore, support a ty.rical dry-land flora. The majority of the flat lands range in elevation from 15 to 5 feet above the normal lake level. They are cnaracteristically horizontal or at lees only gently sloping, snd lie tetween the higher areas, or at one side along the lakes. The swamps of the Island may te either artificial or natural. Dams placed acroces the l*ississiz:pi lower down in its course have caused the laze to rise several feet and remain at this stare for long periods. itany areas alongs ~ ll -«= ye be ao Photographed by Prof. G. B. MacDonak A peat bog with Tamarack and Black Spruce forming an island on Star Island. Covrtesy, Forest CLue ANNUAL. 15.C. the shores of the lakes wnicn forrerly supported ty:ical dry land vegetation are inundated, and are rapidly taxing on the appearance of true swamps. The majority of the low areas, however, are natural and support ty:ical swamp vege-~ tation. There are four distinct tyres of Ewamps on the Island; (1) the true marsh with its dense srowth of sedges which constitues the bulk of the low areas; (2) the heath bog, of which there are only one or two; (3) tne willow swamp; and (4) the low areas once tree clad, but now semi- Swamp due to the rise of tre water level. The three types first names are entirely unproductive from a forestry stand- point. The overflowed areas can be reclaimed by lowering the gereral level of the lake. The swamps are the only areas on the Island in- capable of producing valuable tree growth. They are found in all parts of the area, and range in size from the merest patch of green at the bottom of a pothole, to tracts several acres in extent, along the lake shores, especially in the northwestern part. The total amount of swamp land within the boundaries of the Island is approximately 186.¢é acres. (2) The Surface. The surface of the Island is everyvnere smooth. There are no exposed rocks, cliffs or outcrops, and no loose surface rocks of any description. At the foot of the high banks along the lake shore, particularly of the long point extending northeast, large boulders are numer- ous but are only noticeable during low stages of water. - 12 - The merchantable down timber from windfalls and fire was sold @® few years ago, and the ground is now comparatively clean except on certain exposed areas which were badly hit by a severe storm that blew down large numbers of trees in June, 1914. (3) Drainage. The generally low or gently sloping central por- tion of the Island, which comprises the bulk of the area, is very poorly drained. There are no evident watercourses on the tract. The total precipitation, unless very heavy, is absorbed inimediately by the loose, sandy soil. Erosion is nowhere serious enough to be noticeable, even on the steepest slopes. A large part of the rainfall drains into Lakes Helen and the numerous marshes and swamps, and eventual- ly into Cass Lake. On account of the very porous condition of the soil, areas but a few feet above lake level are suf- ficiently well drained to permit the full development of forest vegetation. (4) S011 Conditions. The soil is fairly uniform in composition on each of the various sites. It is of glacial origin, and the coarse sand drift is evident on all parts of the Island. Sand of various degrees of fineness composes the bulk of the soil. Gravel is not commonly found on the surface, al- though the coarser sands are plentiful especially on the lower areas. On white pine sites, wrich include all the higher elevations of better soil, the sand has a large percentage of clay in mixture and might be termed a light, Sandy loam. The surface 2 or 3 inches of soil contains much humus in varying degrees of decomposition, the result of the heavy leaf fall and litter of the generally dense stand of under- brush and inferior hardwood species - birch and poplar. Uprooted trees expose a subsoil of a darker color, compact and firm, am containing large quantities of clay. fhe sub- soil lies from a foot to < feet below the surface, and is often very hard and almost impervious to moisture. Generally speaking, the best soil on the Island is found on the high areas covered with hardwoods and white pine, The hardwood soil is the richer, due to the greater quantities of humus and its superior physical condition. On the lowland type the soil is almost pure sand. Where Norway pine predominates it contains practically no humus, due in part to the numerous early ground fires. On areas largely covered with traodleaf species, humus is much more plentiful and the soil is richer and in good physical condition. The swamps and marshes have typical bog soils, underlain with gravel or sand. The raising of the lais level by damming the outlet, keeps the areas continuously boggy and the surface is so soft in many places that it will not sustain the wight of a man in walking. (5) Climate. The climate of northern ‘tinnesota is Similar to that of other northern regions. The seasons are definite; the winters are long and severe, the sunmers generally short - 14 -~ and hot. Spring and Fall are delishtful ceasons; the weather is fine and the surroundinss beautiful. The winter temperature often reaches very low marks - 50 and 40 degrees telow zero are not uncommon. Snow falls in November and covers the ground until March or April, often tecoming several feet deep. “xcluding periods of extreme cold weather, the winters are ideal for carrying on logging operations. Summer temperatures are extremely variable. fTer- iods of exceedingly hot weather are common, the thermometer during these times frequently recording 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold spells are just as frequent, and for days at ati.e during the height of the ceason the weather is un- comfcrtably cool. The precipitation is not as great as it is farther south in the state. The normal amountis 25 inches’ for the region about Cass Lake. The distribution of the precipita- tion throushout the year varies greatly. eh ; ey oe - PHoTo, ForestRY Derr. 1.S.C. FIN Excerttentr STAND of Norway AnD Jack PINES AwoutT BOYVEnRS OLD. trees are in a thrifty condition and are carrying their crowns well up above their less fortunate neighbors. the timber is not of very good quality, owing to its youth and the many persisting dead branches. There is very little material in these stands suitable for saw timber, and none of it should be cut for that purpose at present. A little later the majority of the jack pine should be removed to enable the renaining Norway to develop properly. There is practically no reproduction in this type. None is needed or desirable until near the end of the rota- tion, Since the timber on each area is practically even aged. (5) The Mixed Hardwood Type. Mixed hardwoods comprise about 31% of the total productive area of the Island. The principal species are basswood, maple, elm, ash and oak. The three latter woods are not abundant and form but a small portion of the stand. The hardwood type is a typical selection forest with all ages represented. The Lone point extending northeastward into the lake is covered with a very thrifty young stand of basswood, of even age from sprouts. This timber should be allowed to grow at least through one rotation. The surface and soil conditions in the mixed hard- wood areas are Similar to those found in the white pine types. The soil is of a somewhat better quality, due to the larger amounts of humus and clay in admixture with the Sand. The ground cover is light in the dense stands and consists mostly of weeds and low herbs. In the more open a £0“ = areas, hazel, dogwood, snowberry and other low shruts often form dense thickets. The timber is generally young, thrifty and in good condition. The merchantable trees average about 14" D.BeH. and will yield two logs. The hard maple is the most important of the broadleaf species. It is found almost pure on certain areas in the southeastern part of the Island. fany of the trees have been badly damaged by the repeated crude tapping by Indians to obtain the sap, otherwise the timber is in good condition. Basswood is the hardwood second in importance and abundance on the Island. The majority of the trees of this Species are just under merchantable size. The timber is usually tall, straight, thrifty and in good conditica. Oak, elm, hackberry, white ash and cottonwood occur locally or scattered throughout the hardwood types and are of little importance in the management of the for- est. (6) Pure Hardwood Tyyes. Areas of pure hardwoods are confined principal- ly to inferior species, paper birch and poplar. Pure stands of birch occupy areas several acres in extent and are found mostly in the central and eastern portions of the Island. The trees range from 4 inches to 9 inches D. 3B. H. and are often found growing in very dense stands. The type is temporary only and occupies land which will eventually produce white or Norway pine through arti- ficial or natural regeneration. It is quite likely that a AT most areas of birch will require stocking with pine artifi- Gially, since the neightoring trees are mostly too old to bear seed in abundance. Birch above 4" D. B. H. will even- tually be used in making box shooks, novelties, for fuel and for other purposes where it is adapted. Foplar covers large areas of low-lying lands, and many small areas of moist uplands. There are two species of poplar commonly found: the large toothed aspen and the quaking aspen, Cottonwood occurs at points along the shore. The balsam poplar is occasionally encountered. Foplar ranges from 4 inches to 10 inches D. B. Hd. and from €5 to 50 feet tall. The type occupies sites wich in many cases might te used more profitably for growing trees of better species. Poplar tolts above 4" at the small end are extensively used at the box factory in the manufac- ture of shooks. In time, most of the areas now occupied by roplar will te utilized for growing the more valuable crops of pine timber. (B) THE GROWING STOCK. All timber 4" D. B. H. and over on 20% of the area was actually calipered anc the diameters recorced in even inch classes. Trees 10 inches and over PD. B. H., except the poplars and tirches,were considered merchantable for saw | timber. The smaller trees between 4 inches anc 10 inches D. Be. He and all bireh and aspen timber were computed in cubic feet which were afterward converted into cords, using 80 cubic ft.as the converting factor. “=stimates of the total growing stock were then computed by srecies in toard feet and cubic feet for every vhole and fractiOnal 10 acre plot ecm eee te on the Island. The volume tables used in computing the es- timates are tabulated in the appendix. ' A very important part of this working plan is the maps and tables of the growing stock on the Island. The following have been accurately prepared and accompany the text: 1. An Estimate Map, showing the estimates in board feet and cubic feet for every 10 acre tract or fractional area on the Island. Re A Compilation of the estimates by species for the entire tract, showing the total volume of each species in board feet and cubic feet. 3.