152 ox THE OLD AND KEMAEKABLE 



such inclement influences. We find it also planted for shelter 

 and shade round many a hill side and exposed hamlet and steading 

 at high altitudes ; and, although at great elevations the sycamore 

 does not attain to the ponderous dimensions it acquires at the 

 lower levels, it still grows to a considerable girth and height of 

 bole even in these higher positions. Thus, for instance, at 

 Woodhouselee, Mid-Lothian, altitude 700 feet {vide Eeturn), we 

 find it thriving and vigorous in light gravelly loam, on a gravelly 

 and rocky subsoil, and about 60 feet high, and girthing over 16 

 feet at 1 foot from the ground, and 13 feet 4 inches at 5 feet; 

 wdiile at other high elevations, such as at Dalwick, Peelilesshire, 

 800 feet ; at Stobo, 745 feet ; at Lochwood, Dumfriessliire, 900 

 feet ; at Ardross, Eosshire, 800 feet. Similar and in some cases 

 even larger dimensions are attained by the sycamore (vide Table). 

 In regard to soil, tliis tree is not fastidious ; it will lie found from 

 our returns to thrive well in any soil which is not overcharged 

 with moisture. In such situations early decay of the trunk and 

 oozing from the stem near the l)ase are produced ; Imt, while pre- 

 ferring an open good loam, rather dry, it is also found thriving 

 in stiff soil inclining to clay. Its progress is most rapid in deep 

 dry soft loam, and in such circumstances it is no uncommon thing 

 to find the sycamore, in Scotland, planted out singly in open 

 situations, attaining 20 feet in height in ten years ; and Grigor 

 states he has known instances of its havint:^ attained the height 

 of 40 feet in less than twenty years. At Twizel, in Berwicksliire, 

 in a light dry loam, the sycamore in twenty-five years attained 

 the height of 35 feet in an exposed situation, and had a diameter 

 of stem near the base of 12 inches. 



The sycamore is one of the earliest of our forest trees to put on 

 its foliage in spring. The tints of the opening buds and young 

 tender leaves " are rich, glowing, and harmonious," as Sir T. D. 

 Lauder, in liis edition of " Gilpin's Forest Scenery," well de- 

 scribes them. They deepen in summer into darker gxeen, con- 

 trasting well with the massive wide-spreading head of the tree, 

 and in autumn the varied browns and reds with whicli they 

 tartan the woods harmonise well with the lighter yellow shades 

 of the declining foliage of the lime and elm and ash in the land- 

 scape. In old trees, the habit of peeling off in scales, which is 

 noticeal)le in their bark, produces an agreeable effect in the 

 rich contrast Itetween the ashy-grev colour of the adherinii' 

 bark, and the russet hues thereby produced and displayed in 

 patches along the trunk. Considerable variety and difference of 

 time also, in foliation, is observable in the sycamore in this 

 country. In this respect one tree, still extant and ([uite vigor- 

 ous, near the ruins of Corstorphine Castle, and adjoining the 

 old dovecot of tliat barony, has acquired a unique reputa- 

 tion, and given its name to a new familv or varietv of the 



