PORCUPINES
On many national forest areas the control of porcupines is imperative from the standpoint of timber reproduction. This is especially true on cut-over areas and where fires have destroyed all seedlings. Porcupines will often destroy up to 90 percent of the seedlings and, through continued girdling of young trees 15 to 25 years of age, will destroy all chance for commercial timber for many years to come.
Typical porcupine den. Picture taken on Pike National Forest in Colorado, in area where porcupine control work was conducted under the Forest Service E.C.W. program.
| Porcupine at work girdling pine tree. | |
Showing one of 114 young pines damaged by porcupines on 15 acres. | Additional evidence on cut-over areas. |
| Porcupine at foot of tree probably 15 years old, which it has damaged beyond hope of recovery. | |
| Complete girdling by porcupines about 12 inches above ground. |