1886.] TREES OF MONMOUTHSHIRE. 693 



TREES OF MONMOUTHSHIRE. 



by " young forester." 



The Beech (Fagus Sylvatica). 



THE Beech tree in this county is very plentiful, but of clean 

 dimensions it is not easy to obtain. The clean trees seem 

 to be all growiug in places where their ornamental value is preferred 

 to that of the wood. You will see the highest trees arrowing on our 

 gradual slopes, where there is a good loamy soil on gravel. There 

 are several large trees growing in many parts of tliis country. Per- 

 haps one of the largest grew at Pontheer near Caerleon. I am 

 unable to obtain its exact dimensions, owing to it having been felled 

 some time ago. 1 learn from a very good authority that this tree 

 had a height of about 50 feet, with a circumference of 25 to 30 feet. 

 There are also some very fine trees growing in Llantamam Park ; 

 a place worthy of a visit to any lover of arboriculture. They 

 have boles of considerable dimensions, with large and ponderous 

 limbs. The soil which seems to be best adapted to the growth 

 of the beech, is a loamy soil on gravel. I have seen some very- 

 clean beech trees growing in a red clay on red sandstone, but I 

 have always noticed that in cutting beech up that has been grown 

 on the red sandstone, it turns out to be much harder than that 

 grown in a loam on gravel. Many people seem to be very preju- 

 diced about the use of the timber of the beech. I have proved 

 the beech in many instances to erpial the elm. About here the 

 timber is used with chairmakers, millwrights, and sometimes with 

 wheelwrights. The beech is a very good timber for all under-water 

 work, wedges, and it makes very good felloes for light coach wheels, 

 when allowed to dry well before using. There are still many belts 

 of land that could be profitably planted with this tree, and while 

 the landlords Vvcre adding to the beauty of their estates, they would 

 be adding to their wealth. Farmers about here seem greatly opposed 

 to hedgerow planting. They say nothing grows well under the 

 branches of the trees ; but I believe if hedgerow trees were 

 properly pruned, there would be little cause of complaint. 



The Scotch Fir or Pine (Pinus Sylyesteis), 



The Scotch Pine presents in many parts of this county a very 

 striking and handsome appearance, especially when planted in 

 groves and along drives, with deciduous trees intermixed with 

 them. While our oak, ash, and beech, with others, have lost their 



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