Tree Planting in the Black Country. 73 



examined, and the loss of trees compares favourably with that 

 which is experienced in other districts. Wherever trees are 

 planted a loss of 10 to 15 per cent, occurs during the first year, 

 and in these midland plantings the figure is well within the 

 15 per cent, limit. 



After ten years of careful observation it has been found that 

 the following trees give the best result in the conditions which 

 obtain in the Black Country. 



Black Alder. 

 White Alder. 

 Poplar, Black Italian. 

 Willows of sorts. 

 Wych Elm. 

 Birch. 

 Ash. 

 Sycamore. 



These are the only trees used in large numbers, although 

 from time to time many sorts have been tried with more or less 

 success. Of the species mentioned the Black Alder is as 

 numerous as all the rest of the others put together. Those of 

 us who are used to seeing the Alder growing by the sides of 

 rivers and streams in very moist positions do not find it easy to 

 think of the tree as being happy on a mound of pit rubbish. 

 Yet this tree flourishes amazingly in the most trying con- 

 ditions. Probably the reason of this is found in the curious 

 matted root formation of an alder, the effect of which is to hold 

 the water in the soil, so that even in a dry situation a moist 

 condition of the land is brought about. In some parts of the 

 country, notably in the New Forest, it is a common saying that 

 alders actually create bogs by their special manner of root growth. 

 Thus the alder is a splendid tree with which to start a planta- 

 tion, even if at a later date other kinds are introduced. Poles 

 from alders are ready at a very early age, from 15 — 18 years 

 from planting, and this wood is very much used in the Birming- 

 ham district in connection with certain industries. Poplar is 

 always largely employed by manufacturei'S, and this tree is also 

 of quick growth. Wych elm, ash and sycamore require a longer 

 time before they are really valuable. An attempt is being made 

 to start a plantation of the cricket-bat willow, and this has 

 met with fair success. It will be noticed that conifers are 

 omitted from the list of trees which may be grown in the Black 

 Country. As a matter of fact wherever the atmosphere is 

 heavily laden with smoke these trees, owing to their evergreen 

 habit, always siiffer severely. This is due to the fact that the 

 foliage, which is retained all the year, is greatly injured by the 

 heavy deposit of soot ]>articles and other harmful matter. The 



