120 MANAGEMENT AND SALE OF TIMBER. 



The trees were well clothed with branches, and contained from 

 25 to 35 cubic feet of timber. Larch trees of the same age, 

 and in the same locality, planted upon similar ground, but either 

 mixed with Scots pine, or in groups by themselves 6 to 7 feet 

 apart, contained on an average 4 to 6 feet of timber, tut were 

 considerably decayed in the heart wood, thus evincing that not 

 only are the branches of trees essential to produce timber, but 

 also to prolong the healthy condition of the trees. 



An instance of how far the branches of trees affect their 

 growth and prolong their lives, may be seen in the larch trees 

 about Dunkeld upon the property of the Duke of Athole, far 

 famed for its larch timber — taking the two large ones near the 

 abbey as the subjects of illustration. These two trees, well 

 known to be amongst the first planted in Scotland, are deserv- 

 ing of description and comment. According to a printed record 

 upon a plate standing near the trees, they were planted in 1738, 

 being now 127 years old, and are thereupon represented as being 

 of equal dimensions, viz., 98 feet high, 15 feet, 10 inches girth, 

 3 feet from the ground, and containing 418 cubic feet. The re- 

 spective measurements made in 1864 by the writer, are as 

 follows : — Xo. 1, or southward tree, girth 3 feet from the ground, 

 15 feet 10 inches — at 6 feet from the ground 14 feet, entire 

 height of tree 98 feet — height from ground to lower branches 13 

 feet, spread of branches from top to top 85 feet. 50 feet of the 

 trunk is straight, round, and well grown with comparatively 

 little diminution of thickness, some of the branches are large 

 enough to make 10 inch railway sleepers. Contents, 470 cubic 

 feet which, at Is. 3d. per foot, the stated price in the district 

 would be £29 7s. 6d. No. 2, or northward tree, girth at 3 feet 

 from the ground 14 feet 11 inches, at 6 feet from the ground 13 

 feet, height of tree 98 feet — height to lower branches 15 feet — 

 girth of largest branches about 4 feet, length of longest branches 

 40 feet. Contents, 400 cubic feet, at Is. 3d. per foot, £25. 

 Both are considerably past maturity, as indicated by the 

 decay of the tops of the branches, a true manifestation that the 

 roots are no longer able to supply nourishment sufficient for the 

 trees. 



Taking the mean contents of the two trees at 435 cubic feet, 

 and their mean value at £27 3s. 9d., according to the area the trees 

 occupy, there would stand upon an acre about 9 such trees, 9 + 

 £27, 3s. 9d., £244 13s. 9d. per acre. On comparing the spread 

 of the branches of those trees, and their nearness to the ground, 

 with other trees in the surrounding neighbourhood, the following 

 are tlie conclusions arrived at : — 



First, that other larch trees \vould survive to a similar age, 

 and contain an equal quantity of timber, if allowed the same 



