Observations on the results of cutting back naturally regenerated and planted ash at Donadea forest.

Abstract

On this twentieth day of February, 1945, I stand waist-deep in healthy, vigorous naturally regenerated ash. Just a year ago I stood in this same spot, and then, as now, my thoughts were of the" natural" ash. On that occasion I was, with a very good reason, pessimistic. Around me lay an area of partially-cleared wood1and. Parent-trees were left wherever a well-developed healthy tree had been found. The .ground had been cleared free of brushwood in the usual thorough fashion of "Charcoal Ltd." The forester's "nightmare" of Donadea rank grasses, had not yet invaded this old woodland, and the peaty soil looked eager and ready to receive next year's seed fall. My concern, however, was not for the natural regeneration which I expected, but for the natural regeneration which had come before the stand was opened up...