[Annotation copied from Lynham et al. 2002(https://www.frames.gov/catalog/18093)] A regeneration study, started in 1945, was continued in the summer of 1947 in the Midwestern Regions. The aim of the study was to determine the number and quality of tree species reproducing in the various sites and types on cut-over and burned forest land. Three widely separated areas, covering approximately 9 square miles, were examined. The study areas lay at approximately 49° N latitude. Elevation, frost free days, and annual precipitation varied considerably between areas. The soils were generally acidic and varied in texture from coarse gravels and sands to fine sand loams and clay silts. Three major forest types were encountered: (1) spruce-fir (confined to the slopes as mixed or pure stands and to a lesser extent in the flats and swamps), (2) spruce (found in flats and swamps) and, (3) pine (pure stands or associated with black spruce and trembling aspen on well drained sands and dry clay silts). The virgin stands appear to have originated by the interaction of fire, tree species and site. Cutting had removed 50 to 97% of the cover type from the stands. The bulk of coniferous reproduction in cut-over stands had become established prior to cutting. There was some natural seeding after cutting in stands occupying moist sands and sand loams. The succeeding forest in the cut-over lands will generally be different in composition to the virgin stands depending on site, stand age, amount and type of advanced reproduction, and mortality suffered by advanced reproduction during and after cutting. The spruce-fir associations will normally change to a fir-spruce type. The spruce type will generally form a spruce-fir or a fir-spruce association on the slopes and flats and a spruce type in the swamps. A spruce or a spruce-fir association will usually replace a jack pine cover type. Immature, dense, conifer stands are generally sparsely stocked with reproduction whereas the semi-open mature and over-mature stands are well to fully stocked with seedlings and advanced growth. The gravel, sands, sand loams and dry clay silts are better stocked to coniferous regeneration than are the moist clay silts which are usually understocked or a failure. The after effects of cutting, such as the desiccation of the humus layer through increased sunlight and wind action, the absence of seed trees, the presence of competitive underbrush and small seed eating animals all contribute to the failure of coniferous reproduction. Vigourous underbrush and herbaceous growth prevent reproduction on the moist and wet clay silts in both the uncut and cut-over stands. Regeneration was not affected by plant competition on the dry clay silts and sands as competitive underbrush was only sparsely represented on these sites. Fires in uncut conifer stands will normally reproduce to black spruce and jack pine depending on the composition of the cover type. Two burns occurring a few years apart in the same area will destroy all reproduction. Burns in cut-over stands are either poorly stocked with conifer or a complete failure. Fire control and cutting operations must be guided by sound silvicultural practices to ensure adequate regeneration of seedlings and advanced growth during and following cutting operations. [abstract adapted from summary]