Chap. 326.—An ACT to amend the Code of Virginia by adding thereto a new section
numbered 549-a, to provide for the natural reseeding of pine on certain forest
land from which timber has been cut, in the counties of Hanover, King William,
Essex, Richmond, Lancaster, King and Queen, Middlesex, Caroline, Mathews
and Gloucester, and to provide for the distribution of information concerning
this act and to prescribe forfeitures for the violation thereof. [H B 443)

Approved March 29, 1940

1. Beit enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia, That the
Code of Virginia be amended by adding thereto a new section num-
bered five hundred and forty-nine-a, which section shall read as follows:

Section 549-a. Every landowner who cuts or any person who is
responsible for cutting or any person who procures another to cut for
commercial purposes timber on land in the counties of Hanover, King
William, Essex, Richmond, Lancaster, King and Queen, Caroline,
Middlesex, Mathews and Gloucester on which loblolly pine (Pinus
taeda) and shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) singly or together pre-
dominate and represent fifty per centum or more of the total number
of trees ten inches or more in diameter twelve inches from ground
averaged in blocks of five acres, or less, shall reserve and leave uncut
not less than three pine trees per acre ten inches in diameter measured
outside of the bark twelve inches above the ground, which trees may
be averaged in blocks of not more than five acres; provided, that
where such land does not contain trees of the size hereinbefore de-
scribed, there shall be left uncut not less than four pine trees per acre
nine inches or more in diameter measured outside the bark at twelve
inches above the ground, which trees may be averaged in blocks of
not more than five acres. Such pine trees shall be for the purpose of
reseeding the land and shall be healthy, windfirm and of well de-
veloped crown, evidencing seed bearing ability by the presence of
cones or burs in the crown. Provided, however, that nothing con-
tained in this section shall apply to any landowner who clears his
land for bona fide agricultural purposes or for the purpose of sub-
dividing for sale for building sites.

Pine trees, which are left uncut for purposes of reseeding, shall be
the property of the landowner but shall not be cut until at least ten
years have elapsed after the cutting of timber on such lands.

The State Forester shall distribute notices calling attention to the
provision of this act to forest wardens for posting in conspicuous
places in the counties to which this act applies, and may cause such
notices to be published in newspapers of general circulation in such
counties.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this act shall forfeit
to the Commonwealth the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for
each such seed tree cut from the land on which it is required by this
act to be left, which forfeiture may be recovered on the complaint of
any person before the trial justice of the county in which such land is
located.

This act shall not become effective in the counties of Essex, Mid-
dlesex, King and Queen, Richmond, Gloucester, Mathews or Lan-
caster, until adopted by a majority vote of the board of supervisors
of such counties.